With very little drama involved, the Madison College women's volleyball team opened the 2019 season with a three-set sweep of visiting Elgin Community College at H. Douglas Redsten Gymnasium on Thursday. The WolfPack took the first two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-17 before pulling away in the third set by a 25-9 margin. The victory marks the third straight for the 'Pack against the Spartans, and give Madison College a 5-1 lead in the all-time series. It is also the fifth consecutive year the WolfPack have opened the year with a win.

The night's first set was a back-and-forth struggle as Madison College grabbed the early lead, only to see a four-point advantage slip away at 13-12. The WolfPack went on to scored 13 of the last 19 points to close out the win. Both teams struggled to serve throughout the second set, which saw the 'Pack take control midway through. The clinching set win opened with Madison College taking a 10-3 edge, then using long service runs by Samantha Kessenich and Calla Borchert.

A balanced effort in all phases of the game allowed all 14 players on the roster to see action during the match. Eleven of those players registered a kill in the match, led by sophomore Cathleen Flannery. The 5'8" transfer from NCAA Division III Alverno College pounded nine kills and racked up a .571 attack percentage. Fellow second year and another NCAA Division III transfer from Clarke University, Samantha Kessenich matched Flannery's hit percentage and was second with four kills. Kessenich also had a team-leading three service aces.



The freshmen trio of Kaleia Lawrence, Lena La Fleur, and Skyler Salter manned the setter position during the match. Lawrence, a 5'8" native of Escanaba, Michigan, posted nine assists, one better than the 5'10" La Fleur, who started at setter. Salter finished with five assists. 

Defensively, Lake Mills, Wisconsin, native Calla Borchert used her 6'0" frame to pick up 3.0 blocks. Team captain and sophomore libero Libby Ruhle led the charge in the back row with seven digs for the Madison, Wisconsin, product. Eight other players also earned a dig. 

Collectively, the WolfPack hit .328 withi 27 kills and eight errors on 58 attempts, served seven aces, and blocked five Spartans attacks.

Up Next:

Madison College (1-0) gets right back to action on Friday, August 23 with two matches at the McHenry County College Invitational, held at the UW Health Sports Factory in Rockford, IL. The 'Pack opens against Muskegon Community College (MI), which opens the season on the list of team's receiving votes in the NJCAA Division II Poll. That match starts at 2:30 p.m., and is followed by another DII opponent at 6:00 p.m. when they oppose North Iowa Area Community College. On Saturday, Madison College squares off with #2-ranked and reigning DII national runner-up Parkland College at 3:15 p.m., followed by a yet to be determined match. The WolfPack is 3-1 all-time against the Jayhawks, 3-1 all-time when facing the Trojans, and 1-2 in matches with the Cobras.

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