CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. — Great Bend Panther graduate Valarie Luna helped No. 1 ranked Cowley College volleyball team defeat Johnson County in the NJCAA Division 2 Volleyball National Championship, 18-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-21.

Luna played for Great Bend volleyball coach Shelly Duvall. Luna was named second-team and third team all-league the past two years. She recorded 169 and 209 winners the past two seasons. 

Cowley (40-0) wins back-to-back NJCAA Division 2 titles for a record 81-match winning streak. Cowley has won four NJCAA volleyball championships.

"This team has great chemistry and just loves each other and playing for each other,"  said Cowley  coach Steven Gream, who was named the Coach of the Tournament. "They truly were 'With Each Other, For Each Other.' That was the secret to our success and the leadership of our sophomores."

Most Valuable Player Laura Bonomi led the way with 21 kills and 15 digs.

"Laura learned from Rossana Papa, Sadie Kabisch, and Anna Kiss last year," Gream said. "She was a great leader and mentor to our new players. Laura also put the team on her back in the national tournament and led us to the championship."

Sara Puskus and Josci Buckley added 13 and 10 kills, respectively.

"Sara helped us balance the court on offense with her strong attack but also added a strong serve," Gream said. "She had a great national tournament and had a great Cowley career, ending top 10 in Cowley history in kills in a career."

Setter Hanna Darvas joined Bonomi with a double-double, finishing with 54 assists and 10 digs. Darvas and Puskus were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Lu Ceroni (nine kills) and Jessi Ritchhart (16 digs) also came up big in the win.

The sophomores on the team finish their two years at Cowley with a record of 81-0 and two national championships.

"Winning a national championship is very hard, but winning back-to-back national championships is super hard with everyone putting a bullseye on you to bring the best match of their season," Gream said.