August 26, 2023
NIACC drops pair at Anoka-Ramsey Crossover Tournament
COON RAPIDS, Minn. - The NIACC volleyball team dropped a pair of matches at the Anoka-Ramsey Crossover Tournament on Saturday.
Minnesota West CTC stopped NIACC 3-1 by the scores of 25-20, 17-25, 25-18, 25-18.
Ridgewater College topped the Trojans 3-2 (25-18, 15-25, 26-24, 24-26, 15-10).
"Overall, our record would look like we didn't have a successful weekend," NIACC coach Chris Brand said, "but that is only a single number that doesn't reflect the true experience we gained as a team.
"Tournaments are a great opportunity to gain playing experience that you can't fake - illness, injury, or a change in the lineup. We had to learn how to adjust to who we played with and how to compete."
NIACC (4-4) was led by sophomore Alyssa Wickersheim with 27 kills, 48 digs, nine ace serves and two blocks. Sophomore Jaida Hansen had 19 kills, seven blocks, four digs and two assists and freshman setter Emily Opstvedt had 49 assists, 19 digs and one ace serve.
Also for the Trojans, Saige Sullivan had 19 digs and two ace serves, Abbie Hyde had 33 digs, five ace serves and four assists and Alicia Machacek had 14 kills, eight digs and one block.
NIACC's Kelly Miller had seven kills, four blocks and two digs, Ellie Hanna had 12 kills, five blocks and four digs, Kit Byars had 14 kills, 14 digs, eight blocks and one ace serve and AnnMarie Peters had 29 assists, 11 digs and five ace serves.
In the match against Ridgewater College, the Trojans recorded a season-high 105 digs, including 28 from Wickersheim. It was the most digs in a match for the Trojans since they recorded 119 in the NJCAA Region 11-B title match against Northeast CC on Nov. 3, 2019.
NIACC opens its home season with a pair of matches Wednesday and Friday at Mason City High School.
The Trojans face DMACC in its ICCAC opener at 7 p.m. Wednesday against DMACC. On Friday, the Trojans host the Wartburg College Junior Varsity in a 7 p.m. non-league match.
TEAM SEASON HIGHS
Kills - 59 vs. Ridgewater College (8-26-23)
Assists - 50 vs. Ridgewater College (8-26-23)
Ace serves - 17 vs. St. Cloud Tech and CC (8-25-23)
Digs - 105 vs. Ridgewater College (8-26-23)
Blocks - 17 vs. St. Cloud Tech and CC (8-25-23)
INDIVIDUAL SEASON HIGHS
Kills - 19, Alyssa Wickersheim vs. Kellogg CC (8-19-23)
Assists - 35, Emily Opstvedt vs. Ridgewater College (8-26-23)
Ace serves - 6, Alyssa Wickersheim, twice.
Digs - 28, Wickersheim vs. Ridgewater College (8-26-23)
Blocks - 6, Kit Byars vs. Kellogg CC (8-19-23)
