(BY STEVE CARPENTER)
(HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Community College volleyball team’s slumbering offense came to life on Saturday on Day 2 of the Blue Dragon Volleyball Classic.

Hutchinson’s four primary hitters – Camila Espejo, Katelyn Elstun, Jenna Thorne and Eden Hiebert – combined for 34 kills as the Blue Dragon snapped a four-match losing streak with a 3-0 victory over No. 14 Mineral Area in Hutchinson’s first match on Saturday.

The Blue Dragons defeated the Cardinals 26-24, 25-21, 25-10 to improve to 5-8.

Espejo led all hitters with nine kills and 12 digs. She hit .368 in the match.

Elstun had eight kills and two service aces. Thorne had eight kills on .375 hitting with six total blocks. Hiebert finished with six kills.

Sophomore setter Eboni Sapien had 15 assists and freshman setter Lainey Robertson had 12 assists. Freshman liberal Alissa Bautistahad 21 digs.

The Blue Dragons had eight total blocks.

Alayna Rooks had six kills to lead Mineral Area.

Set 1: The Blue Dragons trailed 18-14 in the first set when Thorne began the first-set comeback. A Hiebert/Jaydin Schake double block tied the set at 21. Trailing 23-22, back-to-back kills from Elstun and Espejo gave Hutch a 24-23 lead. Then at 24-all, a Myracle Lettries/Schake double block closed out the set for Hutchinson.

Set 2: Hutch trailed 12-7 before scoring five in a row to tie the set at 12 on an Elstun ace. Then trailing 15-14, the Blue Dragons rolled for seven-straight points and took a 21-15 lead on a Robertson ace serve. The lead brew to 14-17 on a Schake ace. Mineral area fought off four set points, but Hiebert hammered home a kill on set point to give Hutch a 2-0 match lead.

Set 1: Trailing 3-2, the Dragons took charge in the third set with an early 6-0 run after a Thorne/Lettries double block. With Hutch leading 11-6, the Dragons went on a 7-0 run to lead 18-6 after an Elstun kill. The Dragons then closed out the match with a 6-1 run. Thorne had the kill on match point.