A pair of McCook Community College volleyball players have been named to the all-Region IX team.
    Sophomore setter Ashley Carson (Ord) and freshman Faith Simpson (Wauneta-Palisade) were both named to the squad, as selected by a vote of the 13 Region IX coaches in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.
    In addition, Simpson was also selected the south division’s Freshman of the Year.
    Simpson was second in Region IX in kills per set 3.79 and second with her .295 hitting percentage. Her 481 total kills ranked fourth in the nation among the 93 schools participating in volleyball. Her kills per set ranked 10th in the country. She also had 56 service aces per set, fourth most in the region, 79 digs, and 49 blocks.
    “Faith is an athlete. This was great year for her, but next year is going to be even better. She was the player that every college coach knew her name,” Kobza said. “And the best part was that they (the coaches) had no idea where Wauneta-Palisade High School was, that’s the perk of recruiting local from a small town.”
    In 35 matches, Carson had 1,268 sets—the most in Region IX, and sixth best among all setters in the nation. Her 9.61 sets per match were third best in the region and 16th in the nation. In addition Carson had 37 service aces, 237 digs, 40 blocks and 56 kills.

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