LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. ­– After winning three straight matches in the Region 16 Tournament last weekend, Northeastern A&M's Lady Norse volleyball team won the District O Championship last Saturday and advances to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Tournament, Nov. 15-17 on the campus of Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio.


Coach Eric Iverson's Lady Norse advance to the national tournament  with a 17-7 season record. Pairings for the 16-team double elimination tournament will be announced Wednesday.
NEO wrapped up their first-ever District O title by defeating three-time defending champion East Central College Falcons of Union, Mo.  The Lady Norse won the first game 25-18 before dropping a 29-27 decision and a 25-23 loss to the Falcons in the best three-out-of-five match.
Strong play at the net rallied the Lady Norse to a 25-14 victory in the fourth game before NEO rolled to a 15-8 win in the final game.
“Our players are so excited about the opportunity to get to go to the national tournament,” Iverson said. “People don' understand what an arduous trip it's been for this program from the beginning.
“We finally have the right coaches (Iverson and assistants Lee Johnson and Lisa Neimeggers) and talented players that have come together to make this a very special season,” Iverson said. “These players battled through a very tough schedule, numerous injuries and other adversities to earn the recognition they are gaining.”
The Lady Norse advanced to the regional championship round by defeating the Lady Lakers of Metropolitan Community College in the semifinal round in three straight games. The Lady Norse won 25-18, 25-23 and 25-20 to knock the host Lady Lakers out of the tournament.
Facing Wentworth Military Academy in last Friday's opening match, the Lady Norse  defeated the Scotties by 27-25, 25-15 and 25-11 scores.