From the NIACC Athletic Department –
Volleyball
What’s next: The NIACC volleyball team (5-3 overall, 1-0 in the ICCAC) hosts No. 7 DMACC (6-0, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the NIACC gym. The Lady Trojans also play in the RCTC tournament in Rochester, Minn. on Friday and Saturday.
Last time out: NIACC topped Ellsworth 3-2 in its ICCAC opener on Sept. 2 and topped the Wartburg College junior varsity 3-0 in its home opener on Sept. 3.
NIACC statistical leaders: Kills: Kaylee Whittington 91, Karlie Niedert 49, Aubury Coleman 48, Hannah Carr 32; Assists: Hailey Winter 112, Jackie Bleifus 93; Ace serves: Zoe Schneider 17, Winter 13, Whittington 11, Carr 9; Digs: Whittington 102, Amber Carter 69, Bleifus 47, Carr 40; Blocks: Niedert 25, Whittington 23, Coleman 20, Schneider 15.
History lesson: Samantha Pedersen, who was a first-team all-region performer in 2009, recorded 382 kills in the 2009 season.
Soccer
What’s next: The NIACC men’s soccer team (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the ICCAC) returns to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Iowa Central (0-1, 0-1).
Last time out: NIACC topped Scott Community College 1-0 in its home and conference opener on Sept. 2. The Trojans received a goal from Khaliyl Hanson on an assist from Dion Dozzell.
Leading the way: Dozzell leads the Trojans with four goals. Finn has scored three goals and Elliot Chapman has scored two goals. Cesar Herrera leads the Trojans with three assists.
Trojan tidbits: The Trojans have outscored their opponents 15-2 in their four wins this season … Iowa Central leads the all-time series against NIACC 27-9 … NIACC’s last win over Iowa Central was a 2-0 win in the second round of the 2011 NJCAA Region XI tournament.
History lesson: NIACC’s Mike Unwin was a two-time NJCAA all-American in 2007 and 2008. Unwin, the school’s all-time leading scorer with 58 career goals, was a second-team all-American in 2007 and a first-team selection in 2008.
Cross country
What’s next: The NIACC men’s and women’s cross country teams return to action Friday at the Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. The women’s 5-kilometer race starts at 5 p.m. with the men’s 8K race to follow.
Last time out: The NIACC men placed 11th at the Augustana College Twilight meet on Sept. 4. Jacob Day led the Trojans with a 35th-place finish in 20 minutes, 33 seconds in the 4-mile race. Imad Amenzou was 39th in 20:39. The NIACC women were 17th at the Augustana Twilight meet. Jessica Blumberg was 42nd for the Lady Trojans in 18:38 in the 3-mile race. Kendra Schmidt placed 106th in 19:52.
History lesson: NIACC’s Anna Buenneke and Hannah Palmeter were both two-time NJCAA all-Americans. Buenneke was a second-team selection in 2010 and a first-team selection in 2011. Palmeter was a second-team selection in 2013 and a first-team selection in 2014.
Golf
What’s next: The NIACC men’s and women’s golf teams open their fall season Thursday at the NIACC Invitational at the Mason City Country Club. A total of 10 men’s teams and six women’s teams will participate in the annual invitational.
Who’s returning: The NIACC men return four sophomores from last year’s team, including national qualifier Sam Steinwand. Other returners for the Trojans are Brandon Hebel, Brandon Nordman and Chris Staudt. The Lady Trojans return three golfers, including national qualifier Savannah Lentz. Other returners are Carlie Eckenrod and Bailey Walter.
