NIACC falls to No. 5 Iowa Central, 3-2

MASON CITY - The NIACC volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 5 Iowa Central Thursday night in the NIACC gym.

Iowa Central (13-2 overall, 12-2 in the ICCAC) won 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-7.

"The loss (Thursday) was definitely a hard one to process," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said. "We had moments where we did a good job at controlling our unforced errors as well as working together.

"We are fortunate to be able to learn and still have more opportunities to compete."

NIACC was led by freshman Grace Tobin with 20 kills and 17 digs. It was the fifth match this season that Tobin has accumulated at least 20 kills.

NIACC also received a career-high 13 kills and five digs from freshman Halsie Keltner.

NIACC sophomore setter Becca Steffen collected 44 assists, 12 digs, four ace servies, three blocks and two kills. It was the third time this season that Steffen has accumulated at least 40 assists.

Steffen now has 113 career ace serves, which is tied for fourth on the school's career ace serve list. Steffen is tied with Kayla Baker (2009-10).

Also for NIACC Thursday, Bri Powers had 23 digs and four assists, Samantha Coron had six digs and two kills, Katelin Adams had four kills, Emily Jacobson had four kills and two digs and Hannah Hanson had five kills, three digs and three blocks.

Iowa Central was led by Angel Baylark with match-high 23 kills. The Tritons' Alesha Johnson collected a match-high 52 assists.

NIACC (6-6, 6-6) returns to action Sunday at Southwwestern in an ICCAC match.