WNCC’s Cordero signs with Delaware State

                Karen Cordero’s sophomore season at Western Nebraska Community College is off to a good start.

                Not only does the 5-foot-8 outside hitter lead the NJCAA in total kills with 216 but on Monday, Cordero signed to continue her playing at the Division I level, inking with Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware.

                Cordero said it has been a dream of hers to play at the Division I level and now she gets to spend three years playing for the Hornets.

                “I am really happy and it [going Division I] has been my dream and it finally came true,” she said. “I will be working so hard in every practice and the school. I am truly blessed.”

                It was pretty easy to select Delaware State even though she is going further from home. Cordero graduated from Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista, California. After spending two years at WNCC, which is in the middle of the United States, she is going even further from home. She said 

                “I am ready,” she said. “It will be hard and I will be far from my family and friends, but I am ready for my future.”

                But the decision to go to Delaware State was easy after making good connections with the coach and her future teammates. Also, she will be playing in the same conference as Andrea Tsvetanova, current WNCC setter, who signed earlier to play at Coppin State in Baltimore.

                “I had good connections with my new teammates and the coaches,” she said. “I really liked the volleyball program and the school. The coach has done really good things and that is why I choice Delaware State.”
                This year’s volleyball program is off to one of its best starts, going 3-1 so far this spring. Right now, though, the volleyball program at Delaware State has been put on hold for cautionary reasons because of Covid-related protocols.

                Delaware State volleyball were off to their best four-game start since the program began in the mid-1980s at 3-1 after a shutout victory over Norfolk State on Monday. The Hornets were scheduled to begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division play with matches at Coppin State this week (Feb. 11-12).

                Still, when Cordero shows up on campus in the fall, she will bring plenty of firepower to the team as well as the ability to play all six rotations. Cordero leads the NJCAA with 216 kills and ranks third in kills per set at 5.14. her Cougar teammate Anuhea Kaohi is fourth in total kills with 165. Cordero also has 124 digs this season.

                Her freshman season in 2019, Cordero was named the Region IX South Freshman of the Year. Her freshman year she finished with 449 kills and 275 digs. So far, for her 2-year career, Cordero has 665 kills and 399 digs heading into this weekend’s games at the Lancer Invitational.

                This season, after 11 matches, Cordero has recorded double-figure kills in every match and had double-doubles in seven matches. Her season-best kill total this spring came Jan. 23 when she pounded down 29 kills in a five-set win over Utah State-Eastern. She also had a 28-kill performance against Casper College.

                Cordero said a lot of her success on the volleyball court goes to her coaches and her teammates.

                “It is great and it is very cool [to be leading the nation],” Cordero said. “Thanks to coach Binny and for everyone for supporting me. I have been working so hard.”

                But the team is just 11 matches into the season the key is to stay up there at the end of the year. The big goal for this year’s team is to get back to the national tournament, which will be played in April in West Plains, Missouri.

                Cordero said they are working hard to accomplish that goal.

                “We are working so hard in every practice. We are so ready to be going to regionals and hopefully nationals,” she said. “Every practice we have to work hard and be disciplined so we can get to nationals.”

                The hardest part for Cordero, though, is leaving all the friends she created while attending WNCC the past two seasons. It will be hard leaving in May when she graduates.

                “I am sad that I will leave my friends, coaches, but I have to keep going,” she said. “I am so thankful, blessed and everyone here thank you for coming.”