The Lakers had a big ICCAC conference matchup, against NIACC on Tuesday, October 15th. Both teams were sitting in the 8th spot at 3-4 in conference. The Lakers were coming off a strong two game home win streak, with a lot of confidence and used to that to their advantage. The Match had loads of back and forth and pressure from both sides. In the first the Lakers were down early, found a way to come back and looked as if they would find a way to finish. The Trojans had another idea and ended up taking the set 26-24 after an absolute fight. In the second it was a lot the same with NIACC almost having a double digit lead at one point, but the Lakers fought. The end of the match was a lot of sideout or missed serves to send it back to the other team with the Lakers finally getting it at 29-27. The third was again back and forth with either team jumping to leads, the Lakers eventually finished this one 28-26. With the momentum, a ramp up in service pressure and the support of their home fans the Lakers took set 4 25-15, for a big four set win. "We didn't execute quite at the level we were looking for, some on our credit and definitely some on the credit of NIACC's serving pressure and block. They forced us into some uncomfortable positions but the ladies really rallied together and hit adversity head on. We've talked a lot about adversity and what it can do to and for you and I'm very happy with how they attacked it tonight. They played with a belief of winning it together from the start to finish, and show a massive amount of heart and grit to play 3 sets to extra points, winning 2 of them. A lot of great plays from a lot of team members. We still know we have plenty to work on to keep moving the way we want to but it is definitely a big step for our team," said Coach Erdman. "We also wanted to thank our amazing fan base. It's always nice having community members who care, students and other student athletes there, and parents to support you. It's even nicer when you can show them the type of team they're supporting, and the girls did that tonight."
Stat Leaders:Kills: Kenzie Lee 16 Kills hitting .308, Lily Kunselman 10 kills hitting .125, Kajsa Bates 9 kills hitting .182 and Morgan Wigg 8 kills hitting .263; Assists: Jordan Grimes 43; Aces: Lily Kunselman 4, Hailey Shequen 3, Jordan Grimes 2, and MaKenzie Uribe, Maria Fernanda Sanchez and Lorin Turkdogan with 1; Digs: Lorin Turkdogan 15, MaKenzie Uribe 14, Lily Kunselman 13 and Jordan Grimes 10; Blocks: Morgan Wigg 3, Kajsa Bates and Kenzie Lee added 2 of their own.
The Lakers are 10-22 and 4-4 in conference and sitting in a three way tie for 6th with Southeastern and Ellsworth. The Lakers travel to Iowa Falls to take on Ellsworth Community College on Thursday, October 17th at 7:00 pm for another ICCAC matchup.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Women's Volleyball Coach Nick Erdman at (712) 362-8375 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.