MADISON, WISC. - The first match of the North Central Community College Conference schedule turned late in the opening set and saw Harper College down Madison College in three sets. The WolfPack controlled most of the first set before the Hawks, ranked #8 in the NJCAA Division III Preseason Poll, used a long rally to claim a 25-18 win and propel themselves to set wins of 25-14 and 25-18. The loss extends a 'Pack losing streak to Harper College to three straight, while the Hawks have used wins in 11 of the last 13 to take an 18-17 lead in the all-time series.

Madison College led 17-14 late in the first set when the visitors rattled off nine straight points. Harper College used two more extended runs of nine and seven points to run away with the second set, and put together a six-point service rally in the third to bust open a close set for the match victory.

For the match, Madison College racked up 19 kills, 11 of which came in the first set, and posted a season-low .014. The WolfPack also finished with four aces, six blocks, 17 assists, and 39 digs. 

Freshman Lena La Fleur registered her second straight match with double-digit assists as the Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, native tallied 14 helpers. The 5'10" setter also put together a run of three straight services aces during the third set, part of a sequence that saw La Fleur notch four aces over five consecutive points.

At the net, first year middle blocker Sidni Walgurski put up a wall against the Harper College attack en route to a season-high four blocks. The native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was one of five players with multiple kills in the match, knocking down three of them.

Sophomore Olivia Marron had a team-best five kills, followed by four each for Cathleen Flannery and Calla Borchert. Borchert, a 6'0" middle blocker from Lake Mills, Wisconsin, registered a team-leading .571 attack percentage. Former Verona Area High School athlete Amelia Walton made her second consecutive start at libero and tracked down a season-best 15 digs.

The loss ends of streak of three straight years with a victory in the N4C opener. The Hawks were the last team to hand the 'Pack a defeat in the first match in league play, which they did in 2015. 

Up Next:

Madison College (2-5, 0-1) will once again face a quick turnaround with the College of DuPage Chaparral Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The WolfPack open with a 3:00 p.m. match with Black Hawk College (1-0), followed by a 7:00 p.m. contest against St. Cloud Technical College (MN/3-1). Saturday's slate features NJCAA DIII #9 Minnesota State Community & Technical College (4-0) at 12:00 p.m. and Kishwaukee College (2-4) at 2:00 p.m. 

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