Two Lady Indians named to All-Region IX South team
Two McCook Community College volleyball players have received post-season honors from Region IX. Sophomore Charlee Russick and freshman Leia Young were both named to the All-Region IX South Second team.
Russick, outside hitter from Berthoud, Colo., led the team with 193 kills this season to go along with 130 digs, 21 blocks and nine service aces. She was fourth among hitters in the south with 2.88 kills per set. Russick reached double-digit in kills 10 matches this season with a season best 17 coming twice, on back-to-back nights Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 against Southeast Community College and North Platte. For her career, in 56 matches she compiled 418 kills, 343 digs, 52 blocks and 14 service aces.
Young, middle blocker from Amarillo, Texas, led the team with 125 blocks on the season including 16 solo blocks and 109 block assists. She also led all Region IX south players with 1.29 blocks per set. Young was third on the team with 135 kills and had 48 digs and 17 service aces. She had a season-high 14 blocks in MCC’s 3-2 win over Gillette College on Sept. 13 with her best mark in kills coming Oct. 11 when she had 10 against Otero.
Northeastern Junior College dominated the Region IX South for post-season honors with Kackenzie Nelson named Coach of the Year. Freshman outside hitter Kiera Loe-Outrey was named Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Freshman Evie Gavette was tabbed as Libero of the Year and freshman Stella Carrer was named Setter of the Year.
The fourth-ranked Plainswomen (32-3) captured the Region IX title Nov. 7 sweeping No. 14 Casper College. Casper (27-8) came back in the consolation round to win the Northwest Plains B trophy with a 3-2 win over Central Wyoming. Both teams advance to the NJCAA D1 National Tournament Nov. 19-22 in Clarksville, Tenn.
2025 All-Region IX South First team
Kiera Loe-Outrey, freshman, outside hitter, Northeastern JC
Stella Carrer, freshman, setter, Northeastern JC
Makenna Stephenson, freshman, outside hitter, North Platte
Evie Gavette, freshman, libero, Northeastern JC
Sofiia Khrystenko, freshman, outside hitter, Trinidad State
Kyana Gabriel, sophomore, outside hitter, Western Nebraska
Alex Gonzalez-Orozco, sophomore, libero, Western Nebraska
2025 All-Region IX South Second team
Kiley Kearney, freshman, setter, North Platte
Nya Lual, sophomore, middle blocker, North Platte
Samantha Mosley, sophomore, right side, Northeastern JC
Leia Young, freshman, middle blocker McCook
Dani Cruz, sophomore, outside hitter, Western Nebraska
Charlee Russick, sophomore, outside hitter, McCook
Allie Bishop, sophomore, right side, Trinidad State
Player of the Year: Kiera Loe-Outrey, freshman outside hitter, Northeastern JC
Freshman of the Year: Kiera Loe-Outrey, outside hitter, Northeastern JC
Libero of the Year: Evie Gavette, freshman, Northeastern JC
Setter of the Year: Stella Carrer, freshman, Northeastern JC
Coach of the Year: Mackenzie Nelson, Northeastern Junior College
Up-to-date information about MCC volleyball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com