NIACC opens regional play Wednesday at Iowa Central

What's next: The NIACC volleyball team (17-16 overall, 3-5 in the ICCAC) plays at Iowa Central (21-13, 6-2) in the opening round of the NJCAA Region XI-B tournament at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Fort Dodge.

It will be the third time NIACC has played Iowa Central this season. The Tritons won 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-23) in a nonconference match in Fort Dodge on Aug. 28 and won 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-22) in the league match in Fort Dodge on Sept. 16.

The winner of tonight's match faces the Kirkwood/Southwestern winner in the Region XI-B final at 2 p.m. Saturday in Estherville.

Last time out: NIACC wrapped up its regular season with a 3-0 nonconference victory over the Waldorf College junior varsity last Thursday.

NIACC statistical leaders: Kills: Kaylee Whittington 408, Aubury Coleman 296, Karlie Niedert 244; Assists: Hailey Winter 588, Jackie Bleifus 422; Ace serves: Whittington 51, Liv Block 39, Winter 39. Digs: Block 419, Whittington 402, Amber Carter 210; Blocks: Niedert 134, Coleman 87, Whittington 54, Zoe Schneider 41.

Lady Trojans' match season highs

Kills: Whittington 21 vs. Southwestern (10-28-15); Assists: Winter 31 vs. Ellsworth (9-2-15); Ace serves: Whittington 7 vs. Riverland (9-11-15); Digs: Block 24 vs. Bismarck State College (9-12-15); Blocks: Niedert 11 vs. North Platte CC (10-23-15).

Lady Trojan tidbits: Whittington is the first NIACC player with 400 kills since Casey Spree accumulated 440 kills in the 1999 season … The last time two NIACC players recorded 400 digs in a season was 2008 when Jayna Blome had 593 and Ellen Helfter had 534.