CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – For the third time in as many seasons, the Parkland College volleyball program has taken the Runner-Up position at the NJCAA DII Volleyball National Tournament. The Cobras (33-2) fell by the final score of 1-3 (16-25, 25-22, 18-25, 19-25) to Johnson County CC (27-2) in the Championship match.
 
"I'm so bummed for the girls that their ultimate prize slipped through," expressed Head Coach Cliff Hastings. "These girls worked so hard and did everything asked of them in a covid athletic world. They sacrificed a lot, and the coaches and I just wanted them to feel the fruits of their hard work and dedication to Parkland and each other. But, as the sting of the last match subsides, I think they will realize that they did get a monster prize in that they created relationships, success and a lifetime of memories they should look back at with immense pride. We weren't the best team tonight on the scoreboard, but I wouldn't trade in any of it as this has been such a wonderful ride with an amazing group of girls."
 
Following the Championship match, redshirt freshman outside hitter Halle Everett and sophomore setter Summerlyn Smith were named to the 2020-21 NJCAA Division II National Tournament Team. Everett, a Norris City, Ill., product, recorded 61 kills over the three-day tournament with a .320 overall hitting percentage. Smith, a native of Mattoon, Ill., averaged 41.75 assists per set to go along with a total of 14 kills and 22 digs.
 
"Halle and Summer were consistent and amazing all week both in their play and their leadership," added Hastings. "The growth they both have exhibited this season is nothing short of miraculous. I think back to 6 short months ago when Halle was first tasked with being a 6-rotation outside, after having been a middle most of her life, and her only response was, 'Let's go!' And Summer returned as the only player with national playing experience, let alone any significant playing experience at all, and she learned to lead a group into battle to have an opportunity for a national championship."
 
In set one of the championship match, Johnson County jumped out to an 8-4 lead and then led 14-9, 17-10, and 19-11. Parkland tried to make a comeback, but failed to get any closer than 5 points, at 20-15.
 
Set two started much better for the Cobras as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead and maintained the margin at 11-6. The Cavaliers slowly reduced the margin, tying it at 15 and again at 19, but Parkland scored 4 of the next 5 and maintained the lead to the end.
 
In set three, Parkland was up, 10-9, but never saw the lead again as Johnson County methodically pulled ahead to win by 7 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
In the deciding fourth set, the Cobras were up, 4-3, but the Cavaliers scored five straight to take an 8-4 lead. Parkland got to within 1 point, several times, but at 14-13, Johnson County began to pull away, increasing the lead to 4. The Cobras clawed back to within 2, at 17-19, but would get no closer.
 
 
Summerlyn Smith (44 assists, 7 digs) primarily initiated the Parkland offense, as Jayden Sortor (15 kills, 4 blocks) and Halle Everett (15 kills, 5 blocks) combined for thirty kills. Sortor was especially effective with a blistering .609 hitting percentage.
 
Kayla Brandon (18 digs) anchored a back line that gathered 49 digs with contributions from Brittney Litton (9 digs), Smith, and Isabella Classen (6 digs, 1 ace).
 
Everett and Sortor combined for 9 blocks, as Arika Richardson (9 kills, 3 blocks) and Katie Kaiser (3 blocks) combined for an additional 6.
 
As a team, Parkland was held to an .182 attack percentage, while Johnson County hit .275 as team. Classen managed the only service ace for the Cobras.
 
 
Champions of NJCAA Central B District and the Mid-West Athletic Conference, the Cobras won 33 matches this season, including 28 in straight set sweeps, and lost only 2. Parkland started the season with a 21 straight victories, lost its only match of the regular season to the National Tournament's No. 1 overall seed, Illinois Central, and then reached the National Championship match on a 12-match winning streak. Following the District Championship, five Cobras were named to the All-Region 24 Team, led by Most Valuable Player, Halle Everett. Joining Everett on the First Team were freshman right-side hitter Arika Richardson, sophomore setter Summerlyn Smith, and freshman outside hitter Hailey Sperling. Sophomore defensive specialist Kayla Brandon was named Second Team All-Region 24.