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DODGE CITY —
It's tough enough squaring off with the top team in the conference and against a player who's in the top 10 in kills in the nation.
It became even harder for Dodge City Community College without the service of four of their usual starters.
Because the starters had broken unspecified team rules, the Lady Conqs were short going into Wednesday night's battle with Barton County.
Despite the lack of depth, the girls from DC3 came out swinging in set one, leading it 6-2 before a time-out from Barton prompted the Cougars' fatal run. Barton would take the first set 25-19.
The teams switched sides for the second set, but it was the same music for the Conqs as the number-one team in the KJCCC buried DC3 25-12 in the second stanza.
Dodge City came out with energy in the third frame but lost its mojo early on as Barton freshman Paula da Silva and company began to find their groove.
The Cougars would take set three 25-13 to complete the three-set sweep of the Conquistadors.
DC3 Head Coach Stephano Anthemides said the team had a great game plan coming in and actually slowed down the powerful da Silva.
"Our goal tonight was obviously to slow her (da Silva) down," Anthemides said. "We wanted to make her disperse it to the outsides, but from there is where we got beat. They used tips and finesse to counter our aggressiveness."
Anthemides said while this was a crucial matchup for the team, disciplinary action was necessary for those suspended for the game.
"There are reasons why there are rules and such in place at the beginning of the season," he said.
All four starters are expected to be available for the next road trip, a short bus ride to Colorado Springs to take part in the Air Force Prep tournament today and Friday.
It's tough enough squaring off with the top team in the conference and against a player who's in the top 10 in kills in the nation.
It became even harder for Dodge City Community College without the service of four of their usual starters.
Because the starters had broken unspecified team rules, the Lady Conqs were short going into Wednesday night's battle with Barton County.
Despite the lack of depth, the girls from DC3 came out swinging in set one, leading it 6-2 before a time-out from Barton prompted the Cougars' fatal run. Barton would take the first set 25-19.
The teams switched sides for the second set, but it was the same music for the Conqs as the number-one team in the KJCCC buried DC3 25-12 in the second stanza.
Dodge City came out with energy in the third frame but lost its mojo early on as Barton freshman Paula da Silva and company began to find their groove.
The Cougars would take set three 25-13 to complete the three-set sweep of the Conquistadors.
DC3 Head Coach Stephano Anthemides said the team had a great game plan coming in and actually slowed down the powerful da Silva.
"Our goal tonight was obviously to slow her (da Silva) down," Anthemides said. "We wanted to make her disperse it to the outsides, but from there is where we got beat. They used tips and finesse to counter our aggressiveness."
Anthemides said while this was a crucial matchup for the team, disciplinary action was necessary for those suspended for the game.
"There are reasons why there are rules and such in place at the beginning of the season," he said.
All four starters are expected to be available for the next road trip, a short bus ride to Colorado Springs to take part in the Air Force Prep tournament today and Friday.
