CCC volleyball players to continue at the next level

Colby Community College volleyball players Krizia Cornejo, Laura Funk, Maja Jankovic, Aleksandra Malek and Singryd Valadares have signed letters of intent to further their education and volleyball careers at four-year colleges.

Each of the student-athletes will graduate from CCC in May.

"I am excited for all five of these girls and greatly appreciate what they have contributed during their two years at Colby," said CCC head coach Carey Jones. "I know it wasn't easy, as four of them had to work hard to learn a new language during their time here, but it's really impressive what they have accomplished on the court and in the classroom."

Cornejo will be closer to her hometown of Kissimmee, Fla. when she joins the Brewton-Parker College Barons in Mt. Vernon, Ga. In 16 matches for Colby, the libero/defensive specialist tallied 256 digs, an average of 1.35 digs per set.

Brewton-Parker is an NAIA school and a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference.

Funk, an outside hitter from Muenster, Germany, will join the Jackson State University Tigers in Jackson, Miss. She piled up 335 Kills and averaged 2.06 kills per set in her 53 matches for the Lady Trojans. She also had 198 digs, 46 aces and 61 blocks.

Jackson State is an NCAA Division I college in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Next fall Jankovic will be in Princess Anne, Md., attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shores. In her 66-match career at CCC, the libero from Ruma, Serbia notched 128 assists and 88 aces. Her 1194 digs rank third in school history. She is a two-time all-region first team selection, earned conference player of the week six times, and was named the 2015 Jayhawk West Freshman of the Year.

The Hawks of UMES compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Eastern College Athletic Conference.    

Malek joins the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University in Oakland, Mich. After 65 matches, she exits CCC third in school history in both kills (938) and aces (137). She ranks seventh with 581 digs and eighth with 113 blocks.

An outside hitter from Pszow, Poland, Malek was a 2015 all-conference second-team selection. In 2016, she became the program's first All-American since 2006 as she finished third nationally in total kills (501) and kills per set (4.60), and second in service aces per set (.71). She earned Region VI first team honors, and was named the Jayhawk Conference most valuable player.   

As an NCAA Division I college, OU is a member of the Horizon League.

Valladares is headed to Lorman, Miss. to play for the Alcorn State University Braves. She played 60 matches for the Lady Trojans, compiling 389 kills and 31 aces. The Belo Horizonte, Brazil, middle blocker also added 122 digs and 100 blocks. Her 2016 performance earned KJCCC-I All-Conference honorable mention.

Alcorn State is an NCAA Division I college in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.    

"It will be fun to watch them at their new homes next fall and we wish them the best of luck," Jones said.