WNCC Volleyball Opens Season Friday in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Western Nebraska Community College volleyball player Chloe Grady goes up for a block in a preseason practice.

This weekend will be the day that Western Nebraska Community College coach Fatima Balza will begin her head coaching debut when the Cougars open their season at the Iowa Western Tournament in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

WNCC's Cougars will face off against Iowa Western at 4 p.m. on Friday, and will then play Eastern Wyoming at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Cougars will finish the weekend of play with a match against Southeast Community College at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Balza, who is a former standout player for the Cougars, takes over the head coaching position after serving as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

Balza said she is excited to get the season started and see what her team can do.

"We have a lot of talent on this team, and I think we can be very successful," Balza said. "We have a good mix of experience and youth, and I think that will help us be competitive in every match."

The Cougars return several key players from last year's team, including All-Region outside hitter Chloe Grady.

Grady, who is a sophomore, led the Cougars in kills last season and was also named to the All-Nebraska Collegiate Athletic Conference team.

Other key returners for the Cougars include sophomore middle hitter Sydney Christiansen and sophomore setter Rylee Haring.

Balza said she is also excited about the addition of several talented freshmen to the team.

"We have some really good freshmen who are going to contribute right away," Balza said. "I think they are going to add a lot of depth to our team."

The Cougars will be looking to improve on their record from last season, when they finished 17-15 overall and 7-7 in the Nebraska Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Balza said she believes her team has the potential to be one of the top teams in the conference this season.

"I think we have a chance to be very successful this season," Balza said. "We have a lot of talent, and I think we are going to be very competitive in every match."