ROCKFORD, ILL. - The Madison College women's volleyball team came away with the season's first victory as part of a 1-3 showing at the McHenry County College Opening Weekend Tournament held at the UW Health Sports Factory. The WolfPack dropped their first three matches against John Wood Community College, Moraine Valley Community College, and Carl Sandburg College by scores of 3-0. They rebounded in their tournament finale with a 3-2 defeat over Oakton Community College. The victory was significant for two reasons as second year coach Quinn Lukens earned his first career victory after losing his first season as the program's leader to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and the victory was the 1,000th all-time in Madison College volleyball history.

Match #1: John Wood Community College 3, Madison College 0

The season's first match resulted in a three set loss by scores of 25-23, 25-20, and 25-17. Sophomore outside hitter Abigail Lewis led the WolfPack with a career-high ten kills and posted a .208 attack percentage. Fellow second year OH Jadyn Holman was second with eight kills and helped the 'Pack tally a team .125 hitting efficiency.

Setter Mariah Best, a freshman from Waunakee, Wisconsin, registered eight assists to lead a trio of setters, with Kaleia Lawrence and Amelia Walton each finishing with seven. Abby Steinauer was tops in two categories for Madison College as she posted 16 digs and three aces. Middle blocker Calla Borchert was tops in blocks with 2.5.

Saturday's match marked the first-ever meeting against the Blazers.

Match #1: Moraine Valley Community College 3, Madison College 0

Madison College was swept in their second match by the Cyclones, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20, marking the fourth setback in five all-time matches with MVCC. Holman and Lewis, outside hitters from Mt. Horeb and Stoughton, respectively, each racked up a team-leading six kills. Mariah Best picked up a dozen assists and three service aces.

Defensively, Amelia Walton led the effort with 12 digs.

Match #1: Carl Sandburg College 3, Madison College 0

Day two of the weekend tournament opened with another three-set loss, however, Madison College continued to show more fight in taking a 25-14, 26-24, 25-14 setback. Sophomore Calla Borchert stood out with eight kills and 1.5 blocks for the product of Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Mariah Best recorded 18 assists, and Amelia Walton had 14 digs.

The Chargers now own a 2-0 lead over the 'Pack in the all-time series.

Match #1: Madison College 3, Oakton Community College 2

The tournament finale provided not only the season's first win, but also some high-level drama and intensity. The Owls took a 2-0 lead after taking the opening two sets by scores of 25-20 and 26-24, but the WolfPack rallied with three straight set wins 25-21, 25-23, and 16-14.

Jadyn Holman blasted a career-high 17 kills, thanks in large part to an impressive performance by Mariah Best, who finished with a career-best 44 kills. Borchert's Saturday numbers continued to impress with five aces and 6.5 blocks, both career-high outputs. Not to be outdone, Abby Steinhauer chased down a career-best 22.

Madison College is now a perfect 11-0 against OCC.

Up Next:

Madison College (1-3) will continue an extended season-opening road trip on Tuesday when they take on Western Technical College (0-0). The two former Wisconsin Technical College Conference foes have played 105 matches dating back to 1980, and the WolfPack boast a 57-39-9 lead in the head-to-head matchups. First serve is at 6:30 p.m. in La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

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