Lorain CCC Volleyball Places 5th at DIII Nationals

November 14, 2015- It's never easy getting back to the championship game and the Commodores volleyball team realized that this weekend as they competed at the DIII Nationals this weekend in Minnesota. As the 5th seed in the tournament, the Commodores were able to place 5th after losing 1-3 to Rochester in their opening match, beating Nassau 3-0 and beating Central Lakes 3-2.

In the opening match Friday afternoon, the Commodores faced the #4 seed Rochester and dug themselves in an early hole. After a close initial set, the Commodores found themselves down big and lost the first set 15-25 then the second set 20-25. It wasn't until the third set that the Commodores came alive and applied the same pressure to Rochester that they did to almost every team they played this season. Led by Maryssa Kellick (20 kills) and Emily Mandoke (15 kills), the Commodores made everything difficult for Rochester. With 17 kills in just the third set, the Commodores pulled off the win 25-23. In what ended up being the final set, the Commodores did much of the same in the fourth set, applying pressure to the net. With the big plays by Kady Whitsel (33 assist) and Mikayla Walbom (16 assist), the Commodores gave themselves an opportunity to extend the match but, in a controversial call, the set was lost 23-25 and the match was over.

With no break in between the games due to the first match going longer, the Commodores had to turn right back around to face the #8 seed Nassau. The match went in favor of the Commodores the entire time as LCCC won 25-19, 25-9, and 25-12. The Commodores were led once again by Emily Mandoke (11 kills), Maryssa Kellick (11 kills), and Kady Whitsel (21 assist). As a team, the Commodores racked up 33 kills and 32 assists.

In the 5th place game on Saturday, the Commodores faced off against #3 Central Lakes and it went down to the final play. The Commodores won the match in five 18-25, 25-19, 25-20, 15-25, 15-13. Led by Maryssa Kellick (18 kills), Emily Mandoke (17 kills), and Kady Whitsel (29 assist, 26 digs), the Commodores found themselves in a battle. After falling in the fourth set, the Commodores rallied together to pull the upset off in the final set in what ended up being a long volley.

After the game, Coach Whitsel said, "I'm proud of the way they handled adversity and made lemonade from the lemons. Just a fun team that loves the game." In the past two seasons, the Lady Commodores Volleyball team has not only won their district, they finished 2nd and a 5th in the nation! They finished the 2015 season with a 23-12 overall record. Congratulations on another great season Commodores!
Box Score vs. Rochester CC
Box Score vs. Nassau CC
Box Score vs. Central Lakes CC