There may be times when the Madison College volleyball team is down, but they're never out, as they proved this weekend in the North Iowa Area Community College Tournament. The WolfPack won two out of their three matches against division two teams, beating the host Trojans 3-2, and Ellsworth Community College 3-2.
In their opening match, against North Iowa Area Community College, the WolfPack started strong by winning their opening game 25-23. A tough game two saw they fall 26-28, before they responded in game three by winning 26-24. Down two games to one, the Trojans refused to go away. North Iowa stole game four by the score of 21-25, setting up a fifth and final game. In that final game the WolfPack would prove their mettle, hanging on for the 16-14 victory.
Hannah Schwartzer led the team in kills (15) and aces (4), while
Kate Jonas (4 blocks),
Calli Dahl (26 digs), and
Kirsten Halma (37 assists) all had a strong match as well.
Match two, against Iowa Central Community College, didn't treat Madison College nearly as well. Facing a strong Tritons team, the WolfPack would get shutout 3-0. With each passing game the 'Pack did improve though, falling by scores of 12-25, 14-25, and 21-25.
Calli Dahl, and
Kirsten Halma led the WolfPack offense. Dahl led the team with nine kills, while Halma had 23 assists.
Ashley Ponyicsanyi was the team's defensive star, coming up with 14 digs.
Bruised but not beaten, the 'Pack would get back to their winning ways in their third and final match. Taking on Ellsworth Community College the team really showed their heart. After dropping the first two games to the Panthers, 20-25 and 23-25, the WolfPack would rally. Madison College came up big, taking the next three games by scores of 25-20, 27-25, and 16-14. In the come from behind victory, it was sophomore
Hannah Schwartzer leading the attack with 16 kills.
Kirsten Halma finished with 48 assists, while
Kaitlyn Nyman led the team in digs with 34.
Madison College (17-7, 3-4) returns to North Central Community College Conference play on Tuesday, October 4th when they host in-state rival Milwaukee Area Technical College at 6:00 PM.
