NIACC wins pair of matches

ROCKFORD, Ill. - The NIACC volleyball team opened the season with a pair of victories at the McHenry County College Invitational on Friday.

NIACC topped Kishwaukee College 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-13) and Madison College 3-1 (22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-18).

"We are very proud of the team," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said. "They showed a true level of grit as they competed for every ball.

"They didn't seem to get rattled by much and took care of the game one ball at a time."

In Friday's matches, NIACC was led by sophomore Kennedy Meister with 36 kills and 24 digs and freshman Becca Steffens  had 64 assists, 19 digs, 14 kills and six ace serves.

Meister, who recorded 408 kills as a freshman, now has 444 career kills, which ranks 12th on the school's career list. 

Also for the Lady Trojans on Friday, Alexa Loftus had 22 kills and 11 digs, Megan Hollander had six kills and three blocks, Kayla Lentz had 25 digs and seven assists, Shelby Heston had 11 kills 10 digs and three blocks and Sarah Kimberly had eight kills, five digs and five blocks.

NIACC returns to action Saturday at the McHenry County College Invitational. The Lady Trojans face Oakton CC at 1:30 p.m. and take on Grand Rapids CC at 3:15 p.m.

Notes: Meister has 597 career digs ... Heston has 332 career kills and 325 career digs ... Kimberly has 164 career kills and 110 career blocks ... NIACC coach Chris Brandt is 1-0 vs. Kishwaukee College and 1-2 against Madison College.

NIACC CAREER KILLS LEADERS (1998-2019)

1. Hannah Wagner (2017-18) 859

2. Casey Spree (1998-99) 766

3. Kaylee Whittington (2015-16) 743

4. Rachael Spree (2000-01) 665

5. Leslie Junker (2000-01) 664

6. Amanda Kramer (2001-02) 647

7. Sarah Heineman (2007-08) 615

8. McKenzie Heue (2011-12) 576

9. Jayna Blome (2008-09) 560

10. Aubury Coleman (2015-16) 481

11. Caitlyn Hanig (2013-14) 461

12. Kennedy Meister (2018) 444