LCC Volleyball Moves On in Playoffs After 3-1 Win, Prepares for Top-Seeded Test
KINSTON, N.C. — Lenoir Community College's volleyball team came alive after a first-set stumble to clinch a 3-1 victory over Bryant & Stratton in the opening round of the NJCAA DII Region 10 Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday. The Lancers, the No. 8 seed in the tournament, showed resilience on their home court, ultimately prevailing 18-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-12, and punching their ticket to the second round, where they will face top-seeded Richard Bland College on Friday.
The win, which concluded the season’s home games at Bobby Dawson Court, marked a special farewell for sophomores Mikalah Dale and Hayli Verme, whose time with the Lancers ended on a high note. Dale and Verme both played integral roles in guiding their team to a second-round playoff berth and shared emotional reflections on their experiences.
“It was great,” Dale said of the win. “We had a few rough spots, especially at the beginning, but we all pulled through and worked great together.” She added that the team felt motivated after a powerful message from Coach David Barnes, who energized them for the next round by telling his players, “Let’s go kick them in the teeth.”
Verme echoed the sentiment, noting the team’s consistent focus. “Even though we beat them in three sets the first time, we knew they would come at us,” she said. “We couldn’t settle; we had to stay focused, and I think we executed very well.” Coach Barnes continued to encourage his players to “keep pushing, kick them in the teeth, don’t give up,” and added that their upcoming opponent, Richard Bland, “needs to be humbled, and someone has to do it.”
For Dale and Verme, the final match on Bobby Dawson Court was a milestone that went beyond the scoreboard. Dale reflected on her time with Coach Barnes, who she credited as “the best coach I’ve ever had.” She added, “Going out with a win means a lot to me. Coach Barnes has been here, stuck with us, and it’s going to be tough leaving him and this team.”
Verme, who described her LCC journey as a “roller coaster of emotions,” expressed her gratitude for the growth she experienced on and off the court. “Going out with a win is everything to competitive people, so that was great,” Verme said. “It’s been a time of life-changing people, great lessons, and continued support from coaches and everyone in the program. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
LCC, now 13-12 overall and 3-7 in conference play, has faced ups and downs throughout the season, with a 4-5 road record. Their next challenge awaits in Richard Bland College, a team that boasts an impressive 27-4 record and has remained undefeated at home. Though the two teams met earlier this season, with Richard Bland securing a 3-0 victory on Oct. 2, the top-seeded squad enters the playoffs on a three-game losing streak following a recent invitational tournament in Iowa.
Friday’s match against Richard Bland College will tip off at 12 p.m., and if LCC advances, they will face either No. 5 seed Wake Tech or No. 4 seed Southwest Virginia in the tournament's third round on Saturday at 10 a.m.
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