NIACC set to open season this weekend

NIACC players celebrate a point in Tuesday's scrimmage against RCTC in the NIACC gym.
NIACC players celebrate a point in Tuesday's scrimmage against RCTC in the NIACC gym.
August 18, 2021

ROCKFORD, Ill. - The NIACC volleyball team opens the 2021 season Friday and Saturday at the McHenry County College Invitational.

The Trojans, under 12th year head coach Chris Brandt, will play four matches at the UW Health Sports Factory.

On Friday, NIACC plays Moraine Valley CC at 11:45 a.m. and faces Rock Valley College at 1:30 p.m.

On Saturday, NIACC takes on No. 17 (NJCAA Division II) Lincoln Land CC at 10 a.m. and plays No. 2 (NJCAA Division II) Parkland College at 1:30 p.m.

NIACC returns five players from last season's team that was 9-10 in the abbreviated 2021 spring season, including honorable mention NJCAA Division II all-American Grace Tobin. an outside hitter. Other returners are setter Samantha Coron, defensive specialist Emily Wittnebel, right-side hitter/setter Megan Vidmar and outside hitter Halsie Keltner.

Tobin led the Trojans with 300 kills last season in 19 matches (15.7 kills per match). Tobin also collected 197 digs, 37 blocks and 23 ace serves.

Keltner collected 123 kills with 88 digs in her first season. Wittnebel had 137 digs and 10 ace serves.

Vidmar was limited to five matches last season due to a leg injury.