NIACC volleyball team drops pair of matches at Iowa Central tournament

FORT DODGE - The NIACC volleyball team dropped a pair of matches to Cowley CC and Highland CC on Friday at the Iowa Central tournament.

No. 7 (NJCAA Division II) Cowley CC topped NIACC 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-23). Highland CC, which received votes in last week's NJCAA Division II poll, stopped the Lady Trojans 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-20).

"The teams we faced (Friday) were probably the toughest competition we've seen this season," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said, "and both teams face each other next week for their conference title.

"I need to give them a lot of credit for putting together a solid offense. Although we lost, we played very well and continued to work hard for every point. It's a great time of year to see this level of play."

Sophomore Kaylee Whittington led the Lady Trojans with 17 kills, seven digs and three blocks. Freshman Becca Konz had 14 kills and two blocks and sophomore Meagan Miller had 13 kills and 12 digs.

Sophomore Liv Block led the Lady Trojans with 35 digs.

NIACC sophomore Jackie Bleifus had 27 assists, nine digs and two ace serves. Sophomore Hailey Winter had 23 assists, six digs and five ace serves.

Also for the Lady Trojans, sophomore Aubury Coleman had 10 kills and eight blocks, freshman Keely Heller had four kills, two ace serves and two blocks, sophomore Hannah Carr had 12 digs, freshman Brooke Greenwood had five kills and six blocks.

NIACC (17-11 overall) returns to action Saturday at the Iowa Central tournament with a pair of matches. The Lady Trojans face Kishwaukee College at 9 a.m. and Carl Sandburg College at 1 p.m.