Northeast volleyball adds two wins at Columbus Invite

COLUMBUS, Neb. – The Northeast Community College volleyball team squared off with some tough competition on Friday and Saturday, picking up two wins on Saturday over Bismarck State College and Kansas City Kansas Community College at the Raider Fieldhouse in Columbus, Neb.

On Friday, the Hawks (14-11, 5-0 ICCAC) fell to Butler Community College, 20-25, 25-22, 18-25 and 19-25 and Cowley County Community College, 16-25, 14-25 and 26-28.

Set scores against Bismarck State were, 25-10, 25-21, 26-28 and 25-18, while set scores against KCKCC were, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12 and 25-23.

The Hawks struggled to find any offensive momentum against the Grizzlies and Tigers.

Elley Beaver (Columbus, Neb.) led the Hawks with nine kills and 26 digs, while Jamie Bonifas (Blue Hill, Neb.) had 32 assists in the loss to Butler.

Against Cowley, Caitlin Orton (Mills, Neb.) and Brianna Bauer (O'Neill, Neb.) each had eight kills. Bonifas added 27 assists and 12 digs, while Josie Sanger (Crofton, Neb.) had 16 digs.

On Saturday, the Hawks fought off the Mystics in four sets, who were receiving votes in the latest NJCAA DII volleyball polls.

Hannah Heppner (Stanton, Neb.) recorded 13 digs and eight blocks, while Orton added 12 kills and four blocks. Bonifas notched 51 assists and 18 digs and Sanger tallied 27 digs.

In the final game of the tournament, Carly Hirsch (Norfolk, Neb.) had one of her best games so far in a Hawks uniform. The freshman pitched in 17 kills and six blocks. Heppner added 13 kills and eight blocks, while Bonifas had 45 assists and 15 digs. Sanger and Caitlin Kumm (Osmond, Neb.) tallied 25 and 24 digs, respectively.

The Hawks jump back into ICCAC play, traveling to North Iowa Area Community College for a 7 p.m. match Wednesday in Mason City, Iowa.

For all news related to Northeast Community College athletics, visit northeasthawks.com for complete coverage. Fans can also follow the Hawks on Twitter @NortheastHawks for game-day coverage.