One of only two out-of-state volleyball players in 2015 for Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas, freshman Jessie Roukema wasted little time in establishing herself on a team with serious postseason plans.
Eventual NJCAA Division II volleyball tournament qualifiers Johnson County CC unfortunately dashed those well ahead of schedule, eliminating the Bayfield High School grad and her fellow Panthers 3 games to 1 in the opening round of the District M Tournament.
Top-seeded in the event as well as its hosting school, JCCC went on to finish 35-7 overall after sweeping District N winners Cowley College for fifth place at nationals in Arizona at Phoenix College.
Roukema had two kills, five digs and a solo block in the Panthers' season-ending defeat, and the middle blocker/right-side hitter finished her first collegiate campaign with 96 kills (sixth-most on the squad) and 113.5 points scored (also sixth-most) in 27 matches-12 as a starter-and 66 games played.
She averaged 1.45 kills per game, hitting .143 in 287 total attacks, and 1.72 points per as Neosho County finished the fall with a solid 24-14 overall (20-8 in non-conference action) record.
