NIACC splits opening contests

Ellie Hanna hits the ball over the net in NIACC's match against Illinois Valley CC at the OWT All-In Tournament on Friday in Rockford, Ill.
Ellie Hanna hits the ball over the net in NIACC's match against Illinois Valley CC at the OWT All-In Tournament on Friday in Rockford, Ill.
August 23, 2024

ROCKFORD, Ill. - The NIACC volleyball team split a pair of contests Friday at the OWT All-In Tournament.

NIACC opened with a 3-1 victory over Illinois Valley CC. The Trojans won 25-22, 12-25, 25-6, 25-23.

Moraine Valley CC topped NIACC 3-1. Moraine Valley CC won 25-21, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22.

"We are excited to finally get this team on the court for opening weekend," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said. "We were able to see a lot of positives as well as plenty of things that we need to continue to work on improving.

"The team worked hard to adapt to both teams and learned some hard lessons along the way."

Freshman Megan Tobin led the Trojans with 20 kills, 16 digs, two assists and one ace serve. Sophomore Emily Opstvedt had 50 assists, 17 digs and three ace serves.

Also for the Trojans, freshman Hannah Brinkman had 24 kills and two blocks. Sophomore Ellie Hanna had 18 kills, five blocks and three ace serves, freshman Kenedee Frayne had 28 assists, 13 digs and three ace serves and freshman Emma Miller had 30 digs, seven kills, four blocks and three ace serves.

NIACC's Kinsey Anderson had 39 digs, eight assists and two assists, Alicia Machacek had eight kills and one block, Destiny Reasner had 12 digs and three ace serves, Kit Byars had 14 kills and six blocks, Alana Burton had four kills and three blocks and Addison Tabbert had two digs.

The Trojans (1-1 overall) play two more matches on Saturday at the sesaon-opening tournament. They play North Central Michigan at 8 a.m. and Lincoln Land CC at noon.

"We are back on the court for another day of hard work (Saturday) and look forward to seeing the growth from (Friday)," Brandt said.