The Details
Pioneers Hosts 2018 NJCAA DIII District I/J Tournament
Butler County Community College – Butler, PA
Tournament Set-Up:
The District I/J Tournament was fashioned as a dual-court, two-bracket format over two days. Qualifying teams consisted of Region Champions and Region Runner-Up from Region X, Region XII, and Region XX.
Day 1
Court 1
Region XX Winner (Butler) vs. Region X Runner-Up (Patrick Henry CC)
Patrick Henry CC vs. Region XII Runner-Up (Lorain County CC)
Butler County CC vs. Lorain County CC
Court 2
Region XII Winner (Owens CC) vs. Region XX Runner-Up (AACC)
Region X Winner (Sandhills CC) vs. AACC
Owens CC vs. Sandhills CC
Day 2
Court 1 – Semi-Final 1
Day 1 Court 1 Winner vs. Day 1 Court 2 Runner-Up
Court 2 – Semi-Final 2
Day 1 Court 2 Winner vs. Day 1 Court 1 Runner-Up
Championship Match
Winner Semi-Final 1 vs. Winner Semi-Final 2
Riverhawk Final Scores:
Match 1: Riverhawks 0
Owens Community College Express 3
Set 1: 25-11 (OCC)
Set 2: 25-9 (OCC)
Set 3: 25-18 (OCC)
Box Score: Found here
The Riverhawks would open the District tournament with quite the match-up; facing the 33-6 Express from Owens Community College. As the Region XII Champions, the Express put the pressure on the Riverhawks early – winning the first two sets against AACC with large margins. Aggressive in their effort, the Riverhawks were able to adjust well against their dominant opponent during the third set - in hopes to extend the match. Despite the strong improvement of the must-win set, the Riverhawks would fall 25-18, earning the Express the 3-0 match victory.
Sylvia Frye (Severn, MD/Glen Burnie) would finish with 7 kills and 2 digs for the match, Brittney Guy (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) with 5 kills and 7 digs, Kathryn Hawes (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) had 11 assists with her 2 kills and 3 digs, and Serena Hochmuth (Bowie, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt) had 10 digs.
Match 1: Riverhawks 0
Sandhills Community College Flyers 3
Set 1: 25-7 (SCC)
Set 2: 25-15 (SCC)
Set 3: 25-18 (SCC)
Box Score:Found here
Intense competition would directly follow for the Riverhawks, facing the Region X Champion Flyers of Sandhills Community College. In addition to their Region X Championship win, the Flyers entered the tournament with an overall record of 24-3. Making a statement for their first match of the tournament, the Flyers defeated the Riverhawks 25-7 in the opening set. Adjusting to their new opponents, AACC responded with an improvement for the second set, but still fell, 25-15, to the Flyers. Unable to extend the match further, the Riverhawks dropped the must-win third set, 25-18. Brittney Guy (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) would finish with 7 kills and 9 digs, Sylvia Frye (Severn, MD/Glen Burnie) and Tara Gabrielsen (Pasadena, MD/Chesapeake) each finished with 2 kills as Frye had 7 digs and Gabrielsen had 4 digs. Kathryn Hawes (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) had 11 assists with her 3 kills and 3 digs, and Serena Hochmuth (Bowie, MD/Eleanor Roosevelt) had 9 digs.
Without losing a single set during the tournament, Owens Community College Express would win the 2018 NJCAA DIII District I/J Championship, advancing them to the National Championship Tournament.
Up Next
The Riverhawks' season concludes with their losses in the District tournament. Post-season accolades have yet to be announced, but with some impressive Riverhawk performances during the year – AACC is suspected to be well-represented among the honored.
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