September 1, 2023
NIACC stops Wartburg JV, 3-2
MASON CITY - The NIACC volleyball team topped the Wartburg College Junior Varsity 3-2 in a non-conference match Friday night in the Mason City gym.
NIACC won 25-17, 21-25, 23-25, 29-27, 15-9.
The Trojans (5-5 overall) saved four match points in the fourth set to force the fifth and final set.
"(Friday) was a very good night to see a team learn how to adapt," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said, "a couple of players moved positions and a new lineup, let alone very little practice time with the lineup.
"Defensively, we pushed hard to stop the ball at the net and the back row did a great job getting a touch to keep the ball alive. We are learning how to trust each other, and that process was fun to watch come together."
NIACC played both of its matches this week at Mason City High School while the NIACC gym is still being renovated.
'We would like to send a big thank you to the Mason City High School for hosting us this week and helping us with practice space during our preseason," Brandt said. "We look forward to being back in our home gym permanently very soon but we appreciate being able to play there this week."
In Friday's match, Alyssa Wickersheim led the Trojans with eight kills and 22 digs. Jaida Hansen collected eight kills, three digs, three blocks and two digs and Kit Byars had eight kills (matched her career high), career-high eight blocks and three digs.
The eight blocks by Byars was the most in a match for the Trojans since Kyla Moore recorded 11 blocks against Minnesota State CTC-Fergus Falls on Sept. 10, 2022.
Also for the Trojans, Emily Opstvedt had 15 assists, career-best 14 digs and one ace serve, Kennedy Schwiesow had career-high 26 digs and one ace serve and Alicia Machacek had seven kills, four digs and career-best four blocks.
NIACC's Abbie Hyde had 16 digs and three ace serves, Ellie Hanna had six kills, six digs and four blocks and Zhane Singer had career-best five kills and career-best five blocks.
NIACC returns to action Wednesday in an ICCAC match at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.
