NIACC wins pair of matches at own tourney

MASON CITY - Two matches, two thrilling 3-2 victories.

That was the story for the NIACC volleyball team on Saturday at its own tournament in the NIACC gym with wins over the Grand View Junior Varsity and Ellsworth.

"Ten full sets - a ton of trust, perseverance, grit and tired bodies for a successful day in the court," NIACC coach Chris Brandt said. "The team put in the work and defensively pushed hard to get a touch on any ball.

"Offensively, the hitters did a great job of listening to the team to hit holes, as well, as using a variety of shots to put points on the board."

NIACC fell behind 2-0 to the Grand View Junior Varsity and rallied for a 3-2 win its first match Saturday. In its second match, the Trojans edged rival Ellsworth 3-2 by winning the final game 15-12.

Against the Grand View JV, NIACC won 25-27, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 15-13.

Against Ellsworth, the Trojans prevailed 20-25, 25-18, 25-23, 22-25, 15-12. Tiegan Barkema tallied 25 kills against Ellsworth, which is tied for the sixth most kills in a match in the Brandt era. 

NIACC's Tiegan Barkema tallied 34 kills, 22 digs, one ace serve and one block. The Trojans' Kyla Moore had 30 kills, 10 blocks and two digs.

The Trojans' Ryley Wetlaufer had 81 assists, 12 kills, 29 digs, five blocks and four ace serves. Kaylee Ollendieck had 44 digs and four ace serves.

Also for the Trojans, Abbie Hyde had 24 digs, Kennedy Schwiesow had 29 digs and three ace serves, Jade Thomas had five digs and Abby Suiter had 10 kills, five digs and six blocks.

NIACC's Kalayah Kaschub had nine blocks, three digs and one kill, Alyssa Wickersheim had 12 kills, nine ace serves, 20 digs and three blocks and Saige Sullivan had four digs.

NIACC (10-19 overall) returns to action Wednesday at home against Hawkeye CC in an ICCAC contest. Match time is slated for 7 p.m.

"We get a day of rest and then it's back to work Monday," Brandt said, "as we prepare for another conference match."

TOP SINGLE MATCH KILL LEADERS IN BRANDT ERA

32 - Hannah Wagner vs. Hawkeye CC (10-27-18)

29 - Kennedy Meister vs. DMACC (9-4-19)

27 - Grace Tobin vs. Hawkeye CC (1-26-21)

27 - Grace Tobin vs. Ellsworth (10-2-21)

26 - Grace Tobin vs. Southeastern (2-14-21)

25 - Grace Tobin vs. Southeastern (9-22-21)

25 - Kennedy Meister vs. Southeastern (9-12-18)

25 - Tiegan Barkema vs. Ellsworth (10-8-22)

24 - Meagan Miller vs. Mesabi Range CTC (8-26-16)

24 - Grace Tobin vs. Northeast CC (1-28-21)

24 - Grace Tobin vs. Ellsworth (10-13-21)