By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College (5-6, 1-2) made their home debut against a two-win Southwestern Community College and flexed their muscles with a 25-12, 25-12, 25-13 victory inside Dittmer Gymnasium.
"We just focused on serving tough. Our serving the last few matches has been where it's at so that's kind of what is key for us to be successful, most of the time. We have a lot of really good passers on our side, it makes it easier on our hitters when we're in system," Panther coach Sara Jesse said. "Just focusing more on our side as opposed to what is across from us. That was our plan, to execute tonight and focus on what we can control."
In the first two games ECC jumped out to early leads. They were on top 4-0 and quickly built a 7-2 advantage on an Anthea Deweer tip. With Vera Hojnacki behind the service line, the hosts picked up an ace and went on top by 10 (15-5). The difference reached 24-12 and was won on a Juliana Nunez tip.
Set two started in similar fashion with the hosts leading 4-1 on an Elsa Raga kill and then on top 7-2 with the help of a hitting error by the visitors. With the 18-11 lead, the Panthers fired off four points in a row – bookmarked by a pair of hits by Raga – to pull ahead 22-11. The game was decided on an ace by Madi Hughston for another 25-12 final.
The first Spartan (0-3, 2-11) lead of the match came in the third set – 1-0. They came out ahead one more time, 5-3, before a Raga kill gave ECC the sideout. The Panthers then rattled off seven points in a row to lead 10-5 and forcing a SWCC timeout. The hosts went on another scoring spree to put the game away, six in a row (20-8). The closest the Spartans would get was 11 before the match was won on three hitting errors in a row.
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ICCAC Volleyball
Tuesday at Iowa Falls
SWCC: 12| 12| 13
ECC: 25| 25| 25
ECC Stats Unavailable
