A shorthanded Barton Community College volleyball team battled its way in the Wyo-Braska Tournament this past weekend, finishing 1-3.   Barton drops to 6-12 on the season after the weekend and turns the attention to two conference matches in the upcoming week.  Wednesday the Cougars travel to Cloud County Community College before returning home for a 6:30 p.m. conference match against conference front runner Colby Community College.

Despite playing without one of the Cougars' main outside hitters and having to rotate with a short bench due to injuries, Barton split Friday's matches.

Barton began the tournament against No. 7 Western Wyoming Community College, pushing the Mustangs in a hard fought three straight sets 20-25, 21-25, and 24-26.  After a short break, the Cougars dropped the first set 14-25 to Central Wyoming College before dominating the final three sets 25-21, 25-18, and 25-13. 

"The girls did a great job today, especially being without one of our main outside hitters," said first-year head coach Phil Shoemaker.  "Jennica (O'Neill) stepped up and played well all the way around and Mac (McKenzie Piland) was our workhorse today. Overall we found ways to scrap for points and came out with a good win today."

On Saturday the Cougars played Casper College in the early match, losing to Thunderbirds in four sets.  Barton captured the first set 26-24, then lost three tightly contested sets 25-27, 21-25, and 27-29.  Capping off the weekend's four games, Barton lost to Sheridan College in three, 23-25, 10-25, and 22-25.