By Marissa VanWingen
It took Ellsworth Community College just over an hour to defeat a visiting Riverland Community College on Tuesday night.
The Panthers had its best hitting nights of the season, and had a hitting efficiency of .372 with 38 kills and just six errors as a team in the 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 sweep.
The opening game the Blue Devils would get within two before ECC (8-8) went on an 11-3 scoring run to lead 22-12. An Adriana Tiedt kill and Elsa Raga tip set up game point and the hosts would win it on a hit that went into the net from Riverland (6-7).
Game two was another Panther run that created separation. ECC scored six points in a row and led 9-3 and then went on another spree to pull away 15-4. Both teams kept the ball alive with good defense and a Tiedt kill brought up game point (24-11). The set second was won on one of Anthea Deweer’s team-high nine hits.
The third set was the closest and once again the Panthers started strong, leading 6-1. The Blue Devils came storming back and would get close to the hosts, down just 19-17, but another hitting error gave ECC the three point lead. A Deweer kill, Madi Hughston ace and Giovanna Marins push set up match point. The set and match was won on a Marin hit in the back corner.
Along with Deweer’s nine kills, Raga added seven and Marins six. Vera Hojnacki led in digs with eight and added 31 assists.
The Panthers travel to the Lincoln Land Tournament with games on Friday and Saturday.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,sGrQF9hgUMSP4Sb03vv9M7ngjy4DPOpUX5dNwuNab9Lavd9RDFTDnGsp1fiRBASO5lwAEYCjCUdN5teWYVaMyRI2ATEeBwOs2Eu9OqPDebEYqVhU9DnOUpU,&typo=1
NJCAA Volleyball
Tuesday at Iowa Falls
RCC: 12| 12| 18
ECC: 25| 25| 25
ECC Stats:
Kills: Anthea Deweer 9; Elsa Raga 7; Giovanna Marins 6; Adriana Tiedt 5; Juliana Nunez 5; Madi Hughston 3; Aubrey Johnson 2; Vera Hojnacki 1.
Assists: Hojnacki 31; Camylle Le Meur 2; Lauren Mauk 1; Nunez 1; Hughston 1.
Digs: Hojnacki 8; Hughston 7; Marins 7; Mauk 5; Tiedt 5; Le Meur 4; Nunez 4; Raga 2; Johnson 2; Sydnee Kammrad 1.
Blocks: Deweer 2; Kammrad 1.5; Tiedt .5; Hojnacki .5 ; Marins .5.
Aces: Mauk 2; Deweer 2; Hughston 2; Hojnacki 1.