The 8th ranked Barton Community College volleyball team shook off a slow start Saturday afternoon, rallying for three straight set wins in a 3-1 road victory at Garden City Community College (21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 28-26).
Behind a balanced attack and efficient .348 team hitting percentage, the Cougars improved to 5-1 in conference play and 18-5 overall. Garden City slipped to 4-3 in league action and 7-9 on the year.
Barton continues its road stretch on Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. conference tilt at Cloud County Community College.
The Cougars' offense flourished with three players hitting over .400, led by Stasa Stamenkovic, who fueled the attack with a career-high 24 kills on .429 efficiency in recording her 14th double-figure kill performance of the season. Fellow freshman outside hitter Caroliny Cristinyadded 14 kills and nine digs, while Paola Batista chipped in five kills.
Barton's middles combined for 19 kills on .485 hitting with nine total blocks. Sophomore Aubrey Olander was nearly flawless at .562 with 10 kills and five blocks, while freshman Indigo Pruitt contributed nine kills on .421 efficiency with four blocks.
Setters Ori Briger and Mileah Neal totaled 56 assists, with Briger handing out 31 along with three service aces and six digs, while Neal contributed 25 assists.
Libero Mina Kaneko again anchored the back row with 24 digs, marking her ninth match of 20 or more this season.