DEFENSE KEY AS HAWKS SWEEP FIRST MEETING WITH WESTERN IOWA TECH

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Northeast Community College volleyball team loaded up and headed to Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday for their first-ever meeting with new ICCAC member Western Iowa Tech Community College. The Hawks downed the Comets 3-0 in three sets to complete the sweep.

Northeast (4-1) started out behind but quickly rallied to take the first set by a resounding 25-15 final score. Lauren Buhrman (Wisner, Neb.) was all over the floor for the Hawks as she tallied nine kills and 12 digs in the duel. Kiara Krusemark (Wayne, Neb.) brought her assist tally on the campaign to 154 after just five games.

Western Iowa Tech put together a decent comeback in the third set to extend the match, but the Northeast defense sealed the deal as the Hawks put the finishing touches on their third sweep of the year.

STAT SHEET:

Set Scores: 25-15, 25-19, 26-24

Kills: Lauren Buhrman (Wisner, Neb.) 9, Shaylyn Safranek (Merna, Neb.) 9

Blocks: Chloe Sandell (Polk, Neb.) 7, Shaylyn Safranek 5

Ace Serves: Sydney Redden (Wayne, Neb.) 5

Digs: Sydney Redden 15, Lauren Buhrman 12

Assists: Kiara Krusemark (Wayne, Neb.) 28

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Volleyball Coach Amanda Schultze's overall thoughts on what sealed the victory tonight:

"Super proud of our defense at the net," Schultze said. "We had seven blocks in the third set, which is what helped us win the match."

Schultze on what fans can expect when they get an opportunity to see this group at home for the first time:

"The girls bring a lot of energy and it's fun to watch them put up a big block and be scrappy on the court," Schultze said.

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will host the Norfolk Marriott Invitational this weekend and will battle Briar Cliff University JV at 12 p.m. Friday before taking on McCook Community College at 6 p.m. later in the day. Both games as well as the entire Norfolk Marriott Invitational will take place at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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