Ord’s Carson Among Key Returners for McCook Community College

MCCOOK – McCook Community College coach Hayley Kobza may not have a construction background, but she has proven the ability to really build a program in a short period of time.

Kobza inherited a NJCCA Division I program that went 2-40 the season before she got there. In her first year she improved that mark to 8-24 and last season the Indians went 20-19, producing the school’s first 20-win season of this century.

Given its close proximity to both the Colorado border and Kansas border, it’s not surprising to see the Indians’ roster comprised of many out-state players. Yet, it will be a pair of Nebraska kids that help push the McCook program forward this season.

Ashley Carson, a sophomore from Ord, will start at setter for the Indians after playing in 30 matches as a freshman and tallying 408 assists (4.39 per set) and 21 ace serves last year.

“Ashley will be our starting setter this year and playing all the way around. Ashley is a tremendous setter, athlete, and leader. She will be very hard to replace next year,” Kobza said.

The Indians also return Ryan Maddera, a sophomore from Greeley, Colo., that finished second on the team with 295 kills (2.54 per set) and had 59 total blocks.

Among the infomcing freshmen, Wauneta-Palisade’s Faith Simpson has made a strong impression on Kobza already.

“She will be bringing a lot to our team. She will be playing as an outside hitter for us and possibly playing all the way around,” Kobza said. “Faith was a standout high school athlete in all of her sports.”

Here is a position-by-position look at McCook Community College for 2018.

Setters

Ashley Carson, 5’6, Soph., Ord, Neb.

Carson Mack, 5’7, Fr., Pinedale, Wyo.

Pin Hitters

Bailey Horn, 5’8, Fr., McCook, Neb.

Allie Gammel, 5’9, Fr., Arvada, Colo.

Kiera Barr, 5’8, Fr., Granby, Colo.

Ty Johnson, 5’8, Soph., Conroe, Texas

Ryan Maddera, 6’1, Soph., Evan, Colo.

Mallory Brown, 5’8, Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Faith Simpson, 5’11, Fr., Wauneta, Neb.

Middles

Maddie Kleewein, 6’0, Fr., North Platte, Neb.

Hannah Emerson, 6’2, Soph., Greeley, Colo.

Haley Jacobsen, 5’9, Soph., Littleton, Colo.

Liberos/DS

Brooklyn Evans, 5’7, Soph., Ogden, Utah

Onyesssah Rocha, 5’5, Soph., Topeka, Kan.

Makayla Harris, 5’5, Fr., Brighton, Colo.