Titans fall in first round, win first match in consolation bracket of NJCAA DII national championship

Volleyball team photo
Terra State Titans women's volleyball team.

Terra State Community College women’s volleyball fell to Parkland College in the first round of the NJCAA DII national championship on April 13. The no. 15 seed Titans fought hard through four sets 20-25, 21-25, 25-23, 21-25 but no. 2 seed Parkland came out as the winner of the match.

Luckily, the team still had a chance to show their talent on the court in Cedar Rapids. The championship is a double elimination format, so the Titans moved to the consolation bracket for a chance at the ninth place spot.

They made an easy opponent out of no. 7 seed Walters State Community College on April 14, winning in another four sets 25-17, 25-8, 23-25, 25-9. The Titans pushed out with a solid lead in each of the first two sets before Walters State snuck into the winners spot for the third set. This did not stop the Titans from getting another big lead to finish out the match.

Tyriana Settles clocked another 17 kills against Walters State, with Jakyla Jackson and Melissa Groudle not far behind with 15 and 10 respectively. Karagyn Durco scored four aces and another 50 assists. Abby Yost added 19 more digs and Settles adds 15.

Against Parkland, Tyriana Settles had the most kills with 17 and the most aces with four. Olivia Materni was not far behind with three aces. Karagyn Durco had 35 assists. Abby Yost and Durco tied, both having nine digs.

“We battled hard and had opportunities to take over the match, but we unable to capitalize at the right moments,” said head coach Stephanie Champine, “Parkland is the toughest team we have faced this season, and it was exciting to battle with a team that is notorious for being in the top five every year.”

The Titans will take on the no. 11 seed North Platte Community College this evening at 5:30 p.m. EST for the second round of consolation play.

“It is super exciting to get our first win at nationals. We started the morning knowing we needed to get this win to continue. The team showed up ready to battle and we are hoping for another strong showing at 5:30 p.m. EST,” said Champine.