Campus News
September 30th, 2025
GC sweeps 2-time defending region champion
Lady Lakers claim possibly the biggest win in program history
Garrett College notched what may be the biggest win in the history of the Lady Lakers’ women’s volleyball program Saturday by sweeping two-time defending NJCAA Region 20 champion Harford Community College.
“That was probably the best volleyball I’ve ever seen us play,” said GC head coach Brittany Jackson. “We played smarter than we’ve ever played. Our bench gave us energy – and the girls on the court gave them something to cheer about.”
GC improved to 7-3 overall and 6-3 in the NJCAA Division II Region 20 standings with its impressive 25-21, 25-20, and 25-23 win over Harford. The visiting Fighting Owls (7-5 overall, 5-4 region) came into Saturday’s match with a 70-19 record since the start of the 2022 season.
“There was an energy on the court,” said GC’s Emma McCord, who tied Mia Barios with a team-high 10 kills. “We all just stepped up.”
“We just starting feeding off each other’s energy,” added Barios.
Jackson – who’s brought GC from 0-18 in 2022 to 19-12 since the start of last season – understood the magnitude of Saturday’s victory.
“That’s a game-changer,” said Jackson, noting Harford swept her Lady Lakers out of last year’s regional quarterfinals. “To beat a two-time defending region champ is pretty crazy.”
GC broke away from a 20-20 tie with a 5-1 spurt to end the opening set as Harford’s Bryanna Carter sent two kill attempts long. The Lady Lakers then dominated the second set, leading by seven on three different occasions as GC built a 2-0 lead in sets.
The Lady Lakers secured the win by scoring the final four points in the third set. Brenna L’Hommedieu (four kills) and Chloe Heeter (31 assists) combined on a point-scoring block to create a 23-23 tie before Barios delivered consecutive aces to complete the victory.
Paola Chirino (20 digs) and Karen Cuellar (14 digs) combined for 34 digs on defense, while Cierra Shoop contributed eight kills on offense.
GC 3, Penn Highlands 0
Johnstown. PA – Mia Barios had a match-high 12 kills and Emma McCord added 10 last Tuesday night as the Lady Lakers swept Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, 25-14, 28-26, and 25-22.
Chloe Heeter had a match-high 21 assists.
