The Barton Community College Volleyball team did what it needed to do in finishing off Dodge City Community College in straight sets Wednesday night at the Barton Gym 25-23, 25-16, and 25-19.  The victory improves Barton to 2-2 in conference play and 3-6 overall while Dodge City drops to 0-4 in conference and 1-12 overall.  The Cougars travel to Sterling, Colorado, this weekend for the Pizza Hut Invitational where they will play four games, including two against nationally ranked opponents, before returning to the Barton Gym next Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. conference match against Pratt Community College.  Gate admission is free.

Barton started off slow, with uncharacteristic errors plaguing the Cougars throughout the night.  In a tightly played first set, Barton broke a 21-all tie to outscore Dodge 4-2 to win 25-23.However as the night rolled on so did the Cougars as Barton dominated the second and third set by 25-16 and 25-19 scores.

The sophomore trio of Jori Mote, McKenzie Piland, and Mackenzie Orchard led the Barton attack recording thirty-seven of the Cougars forty-six kill night. Mote was most effective throughout the night leading Barton with a .417 attack percentage on 15 kills, eight coming in the match's final set. 

Setter Lakyn Rowden put up 35 assists along with 3 kills and 8 digs while Mykela Reidl led a balance team effort with 10 digs and team-high 4 service aces.

Barton will play two matches on Friday beginning with North Platte Community College at 5:00 p.m. then No. 11 ranked Salt Lake Community College at 9:00 p.m.   On Saturday the Cougars will take on Trinidad State Junior College at 10:00 a.m. then wrap up the Pizza Hut Invitational at 2:00 p.m. versus the nation's No. 2 Western Nebraska Community College, a team Barton lost to in straight sets earlier this year at the Iowa Western Tournament.