MASON CITY – The North Iowa Area Community College Athletic Department released the following information today:
CROSS COUNTRY
What’s next: The NIACC cross country teams return to Saturday at Grinnell College in the Les Duke Invitational. Meet time is set for 10 a.m.
Last time out: The NIACC men’s cross country team placed second at the Mount Mercy Mustang Gallop Aug. 30 in Cedar Rapids. Freshman Jaime Zarate (Cedar Falls, Ia.) 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 (Bessemer, Mich.) placed third in 16:36 on the 4K course to lead the Lady Trojans.
In the rankings: The NIACC men and women cross country teams climbed into the national rankings last week. The NIACC men are ranked No. 6 in the initial NJCAA Division I poll and the NIACC women are ranked No. 11 in the first poll of the season.
VOLLEYBALL
What’s next: The NIACC volleyball team (7-4 overall) returns to action Wednesday at home against Southeastern Community College. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
Quoting coach Chris Brandt: “Our opponent should be pretty tough. They have beaten some good teams. They have a hitter (Mattie Gray) who is first in our conference in hitting efficiency. Luckily, we have a blocker (Caitlyn Hanig) who is first in the conference in blocking.”
Last time out: NIACC won three of four matches at the RCTC tournament in Rochester, Minn., last Friday and Saturday. NIACC topped Western Technical College (3-0), Riverland Community College (3-0) and Minnesota West Community College (3-0). The Lady Trojans dropped a 3-1 decision to Minnesota State-Fergus Falls.
Leading the way: Freshman Jessica Balek (Manly, Ia.) leads NIACC with 84 kills. Lexy Nodtvedt (Manly, Ia.) is next in line with 78 kills and freshman Caitlyn Hanig (Sheffield, Ia.) has 54 kills.
Helping hands: Freshman Heather Danburg (Mason City, Ia.) has tallied 139 assists. Freshman Carly Ouverson (Fertile, Ia.) has 134 assists.
More statistics: Freshman Hallie Erdahl (Lake Mills, Ia.) leads NIACC with 80 digs … Freshman Grace Olmstead (Waterloo, Ia.) has 73 digs … Hanig (Sheffield, Ia.) leads NIACC with 37 blocks … Balek has 21 blocks … Ouverson has 22 ace serves.
SOCCER
What’s next: The NIACC soccer team (1-2 overall) opens ICCAC play Saturday at Iowa Lakes. Match time is set for 4 p.m.
Last time out: The NIACC soccer team picked up its first win of the season with a 4-1 victory over Minnesota International University last Saturday in Mason City. Sophomore Nako Omot (Worthington, Minn.) led NIACC with two goals.
Quoting coach Jonathan Platt on Saturday’s victory: “The big thing is when we were down 1-0, we had the character to stay in the game. Nathan Spores had a couple of big saves. We were getting opportunities. It was just a case of we needed to keep going.”
