NIACC splits pair at Anoka-Ramsey tournament
August 26, 2023
COON RAPIDS, Minn. - The NIACC volleyball team split a pair of matches at the Anoka-Ramsey Crossover Tournament on Friday.
NIACC (4-2) topped St. Cloud Tech and CC 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19.
In their second match, the Trojans dropped a 3-0 decision to Century Colllege, which won 25-22, 25-18, 25-21.
"We definitely saw some good things (Friday) such as aggressive serving," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said. "We want to be the team to take control and stay in control - being aggressive at the serving line can help set the tone.
"Our defense stepped up and made some amazing plays to keep us in the game several times."
NIACC collected a total of 22 ace serves in the two matches, including a season-high 17 against St. Cloud Tech and CC. Alyssa Wickersheim had six ace serves in the opening match and Emily Opstvedt had four.
Against St. Cloud Tech and CC, Wickersheim collected eight kills and nine digs. Jaida Hansen and Ellie Hanna both had five kills.
Opstevdt had 16 assists and 11 digs. Kennedy Schwiesow had 12 digs and three ace serves.
Against Century College, Wickersheim led the way with eight kills and six digs. AnnMarie Peters had a career-best 11 assists and Opstvedt had 10 assists.
Hansen and Hanna both had five kills. Schwiesow had eight digs and three assists.
"Unfortunately, during the second match (against Century College), we struggled to take much control and had to play catch up most of the time," Brandt said. "We need to find a couple more consistent hitters to compliment the work our defense is doing."
NIACC returns to action Saturday with two matches at the A-R Crossover Tournament. NIACC faces Minnesota West Community and Technical College at 8 a.m. and Ridgewater College at 10:30 a.m.
NIACC notes: Wickersheim leads the Trojans with 71 kills ... Opstvedt is the leader with 80 assists and 16 ace serves ... Schwiesow is the team leader with 88 digs ... Hanna is the block leader with 18 ... Brandt has a career record of 198-257 ... Brandt is 4-3 against St. Cloud Tech and CC ... Before Friday, the last time the Trojans faced St. Cloud Tech and CC was in 2018 in Mason City with the Trojans winning 3-0 ... Brandt is 0-1 vs. Century College.