The Current Online

by Lavette Wilder

Most students breathe a sigh of relief when they finish their physical education requirements in high school and think they’ll never take another course again. But some find themselves needing a P.E. course as a degree requirement, or taking it as an elective, while others have an interest in pursuing careers in physical education themselves. Peggy Tuter has been guiding MCC students through what she hopes will be life changing courses for 26 years. A graduate of Blue Springs High School, Tuter holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physical education from Central Missouri State University.

“Back then, as a woman, you could be a nurse, you could be a secretary, or you could teach. Women’s sports were not popular,” she said. She and her twin sister still played every sport they could in college, though the pair focused on softball and field hockey. [...]

by Dave McQueen

The MCC-Longview women’s volleyball team concluded its season with an eighth-place finish in the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Toledo, Ohio in November.

After upsetting fifth-seeded Parkland (Ill.) 18-25, 25-2, 15-25, 25-22, 15-13 in the first round, Longview lost to Phoenix (Ariz.) College 25-20, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19 in the second round and fell into the consolation bracket.

The Lakers then lost to Central Community College (Neb.) 25-19, 25-22, 26-28, 25-19 in consolation play and to Grand Rapids (Mich.) 25-20, 25-17, 25-22 in the match for seventh place.

Cowley County (Kan.) Community College won the Division II championship, downing Oakland (Mich.) Community College 23-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-21 in the final. Longview lost three matches against Cowley County this season.

Longview middle hitter Melodye Church was selected to the all-tournament team.
The Lakers finished with a 21-16 record.

by Dave McQueen

The plan, MCC-Longview volleyball coach Rob Kaleikau said back in September, was to toughen up his team with some top-notch competition early, take some lumps and peak at the end of the season.

“We did it by design,” Kaleikau said. “We knew our record would take a hit but we wanted to play the toughest teams as much as possible and then peak at the right time.”

The lumps were a little tougher than expected, but Kaleikau’s plan so far has worked to perfection. [...]

The Lakers are the District O champions (Alex Greenlee/The Current).

by Dave McQueen

The MCC-Longview volleyball team is headed for the NJCAA Division II national tournament after winning its district tournament last weekend in St. Louis.

The Lakers captured the District O championship by beating defending champion East Central Community College in five sets in the final at St. Louis Community College – Florissant Valley. Longview, which lost twice to East Central during the regular season, held on for a 25-21, 15-25, 25-13, 10-25, 15-10 victory in Saturday’s title match. [...]