MASON CITY – The following information was released by the NIACC sports department on September 3rd, 2013.
VOLLEYBALL
What’s next: The NIACC volleyball team returns at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Southwestern Community College in Creston.
Quoting coach Chris Brandt: “I’m excited for the battle. We need to come together as a team. Southwestern is looking very good this year. I know we have the type of team that is going to rise to the occasion.”
Last time out: NIACC (4-2) dropped a 3-1 decision to the Wartburg College junior varsity last Friday. The Knights won 25-19, 25-23, 18-25 and 25-14.
Leading the way: Freshman Jessica Balek (Manly, Ia.) leads NIACC with 48 kills. Lexy Nodtvedt (Manly, Ia.) is next in line with 47 kills and sophomore Melissa Bisbee (Stacyville, Ia.) has 45 kills.
Helping hands: Freshman Carly Ouverson (Fertile, Ia.) leads NIACC with 80 assists. Freshman Heather Danburg (Mason City, Ia.) has tallied 75 assists.
More statistics: Bisbee leads NIACC with 52 digs … Sophomore Miranda Altman (Algona, Ia.) has 49 digs … Ouverson and Danburg both have 39 digs … Freshman Caitlyn Hanig (Sheffield, Ia.) leads NIACC with 22 blocks … Balek has 15 blocks … Ouverson and Altman both have 14 ace serves.
SOCCER
What’s next: The NIACC men’s soccer team plays in its home opener at 2 p.m. on Saturday against Minnesota International University.
Last time out: The Trojans (0-2) lost two matches at the Kick for the Cure tournament in Champaign, Ill. The Trojans lost 3-1 to Jefferson College and 4-0 to Lincoln College.
Quoting coach Jonathan Platt: “We played very well in taking the lead (against No. 13 Jefferson). We defended with discipline and real purpose limiting Jefferson to shots from distance. We were on the end of some contentious decisions which ultimately affected the balance of the game. All in all, it was a very good performance against a quality opposition.”
CROSS COUNTRY
What’s next: The NIACC cross country teams return to action Sept. 14 at Grinnell College in the Les Duke Invitational.
Last time out: The NIACC men’s cross country team placed second at the Mount Mercy Mustang Gallop Fridayin Cedar Rapids. Freshman Jaime Zerate led NIACC with a 2nd place finish in 16 minutes and 30 seconds in the 5-kilometer race.
The NIACC women placed fourth at the Mustang Gallop. Freshman Hannah Palmeter placed third in 16:36 on the 4K course to lead the Lady Trojans.
Quoting coach Curtis Vais: “Beginning this week, we start the competitive phase of our training. We will bump up the intensity of our practices.”
