A trip home can remedy anything.
The Barton Community College volleyball team earned their first win of the season in their home opener against Hesston on Saturday afternoon at Kirkman Activity Center.
The Lady Cougars took the Lady Larks to five sets before winning 3-2 in a best-of-five match.
“It was a good win,” Barton first-year head coach Phil Shoemaker said. “It was very competitive, so we’re very happy to get out of here with a win. I think we played hard. I think we have a lot to learn, but that’s what you’d expect when you’ve got a really young team.
“We still made more errors than we would like, but it was a big improvement over what we had going up to this point.”
Hesston led by as much as six early on in the first game, but Barton (1-5) came clawing back.
The Lady Cougars tied the game at 13 and traded points with the Lady Larks until taking a two-point lead at 20-18.
Barton stayed ahead until Hesston closed the gap at 23-23 before winning the first game 25-23.
The Lady Cougars took hold of the second game from the outset, leading by as much as seven points.
Barton evened the match at one game apiece, winning 25-19.
The Lady Cougars rallied in the second game for a 25-21 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the match.
Hesston led Game 4 most of the way, but never by more than three points, Barton tied the game at 23, and took the lead at 25-24.
Neither team wanted to relent until Hesston won 29-27 to force Game 5, which goes to 15 points.
Hesston got ahead early, but the Lady Cougars took over, winning 15-10.
Sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Piland led Barton with 27 kills.
“I thought McKenzie Piland had a great match offensively at the net,” Shoemaker said. “She’s a strong kid, and you need somebody who can break up some blocks and muscle through some things. She’s that kid for us.”
Sophomore libero Kiara Rivera finished with 28 digs, and freshman setter Lakyn Rowden recorded 52 assists and five aces.
Barton plays host to Seward County of Liberal on Wednesday night at 6:30.
JUNIOR COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Saturday
At Great Bend
Kirkman Activity Center
Barton Community College 3, Hesston 2
(23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 27-29, 15-10)
