The Barton Community College volleyball team faced three national power squads this past weekend, dropping four matches of the Reiver Classic hosted by Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Barton opened the season on Friday against No. 12 ranked Laramie County Community College, taking the first set 25-23 before the Golden Eagles took the next three 25-11, 25-21, and 25-11.

The Cougars' again took a set against a national caliber team in the second match of the day, falling behind Indian Hills Community College 25-11 and 25-20 before winning 25-23 in forcing a fourth set coming out on the short end of a 25-13 score.

As far as national rankings, Saturday's matches couldn't have been any tougher in facing two nationally top five programs in being dealt a pair of sweeps. The Cougars fell hard against the host and No. 3 ranked Iowa Western (25-10, 25-16, 25-20) before putting up a strong fight against No. 4 Western Nebraska Community College (25-13, 25-17, 25-23).

Next up for Barton will be its home and conference opener on Monday as the Cougars host Dodge City Community College in a 6:30 p.m. first serve at the Barton Gym.