(BY STEVE CARPENTER)
(HUTCHINSON CC SPORTS INFORMATION)
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Community College Volleyball team plays its final home match of the 2019 regular season on Saturday with a lot at stake.
Winners of two matches in a row, the Blue Dragons play host to the Independence Pirates at 2 p.m. Before the game, the 2019 Blue Dragon sophomores will be honored.
The Blue Dragons can accomplish two major feats with a victory on Saturday.
Hutchinson can clinch a home match for the opening round of the Region VI Tournament, which begins on November 5. The 12-17 Blue Dragons are 8-6 in league play. One win over Independence on Saturday or at Barton on Monday will clinch fourth place in the Jayhawk West. The top four teams in the league earn home opening-round matches.
A victory will also clinch the 200th Blue Dragon victory for head coach Patrick Hall, who is 199-103 in his eighth season on the Hutchinson bench. He will be the third Blue Dragon coach to reach 200 wins, joining Ronda Shirley and Becky Endicott.
The Blue Dragons come off a 3-0 win over Butler on Wednesday at the Sports Arena. Camila Espejo tied a career high with 20 kills on .487 hitting to lead Hutchinson.
Earlier this season, the Blue Dragons swept the Pirates at Independence. Hutchinson hit .350 in the match, getting 11 kills on .435 hitting from freshman Katelyn Elstun. The Pirates hit .211 against Hutchinson.
The Pirates are a much-improved team with already three more victories this season than in 2018. The Pirates are 6-8 and in sixth place in the Jayhawk West.
BLUE DRAGON VOLLEYBALL |
Hutchinson (12-17, 8-6) vs. Independence (11-17, 6-8)When: Saturday, October 26, 2019 |