By Marissa VanWingen

For the fifth time this season, Ellsworth Community College recorded a three-set sweep with the 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 win.

The Panthers remain perfect (4-0) inside Dittmer Gymnasium and improved their overall mark to 13-9 (4-3 in the ICCAC).

Several times this season a 2-0 ECC did not result in a sweep but instead has led to a five set match. NIACC looked to be extending the outing Thursday to at least four. The Trojans led the majority of the set and were on top by as many as six (11-5) before the Panthers staged a comeback. Serving was key for the hosts as back-to-back Madi Hughston aces cut the deficit to three. Later, ECC evened the game for the first time at 13-13 on a Lauren Mauk ace. Juliana Nunez's hit gave the hosts the lead for the first time.

The score would be even two more times, with the Panthers coming out on top. The final tie, 16-16, followed by a Nunez push to the edge to ECC. With Hughston serving once again, the Panthers scored four of the final five points including another ace, a Hughston kill and Anthea Deweer's hit to win it, 25-20.

In the opening game, ECC never trailed. There were three even scores with the final at 7-7. With Adriana Tiedt behind the service line, ECC scored five in a row and built a 10-point advantage (21-12) with the help of two Nunez kills. The set was decided, 25-17, on a hit that went into the net by the Trojans.

Set two the pair were even 12 times with four lead changes. The final tie was 18-18 and a Tiedt hit pushed the hosts ahead. Setter Vera Hojnacki put down a kill followed by a Nunez hit to win the set 25-20 and give the Panthers the 2-0 lead.

For more photos from the match, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f&c=E,1,--MgiArzxsfaRIRDYNpgtr5KDsCes32a0USe0imFLdSCoY77HyffNS9RW5oOOJQCCOsuuUB4owr9AowFCeKcoy0KNMCQqmF51VPfFqpw4wG3eNx697rf6TrgjWc,&typo=1

ICCAC Volleyball
Thursday at Iowa Falls

NIACC: 17| 20| 20
ECC: 25| 25| 25

ECC Stats:
Kills: Juliana Nunez 14; Adriana Tiedt 9; Anthea Deweer 9; Elsa Raga 6; Vera Hojnacki 3; Madi Hughston 1; Sydnee Kammrad 1.
Assists: Hojnacki 33; Camylle Le Meur 4; Tiedt 2; Nunez 1; Hughston 1.
Digs: Nunez 13; Le Meur 11; Hughtson 10; Tiedt 6; Hojnacki 5; Raga 3; Deweer 1.
Blocks: Deweer 1; Kammrad 1; Raga .5; Nunez .5.
Aces: Hughston 3; Tiedt 2; Lauren Mauk 1; Nunez 1.