The Lakers traveled to Creston, IA for a tri at Southwestern Community College. They started the night against the Scotties of Highland Community College in Kansas. They fell to the Scotties in 4, (11-25, 14-25, 25-23, 9-25). "Highland is very scrappy group who does not make a lot of errors and does not let the ball drop. We talked about needing to be firing well and moving well and came out very sluggish. In the 3rd we showed a little more fight but it was definitely a match we have a lot to learn from," said Coach Erdman.
Highland Stat Leaders: Kills: Kenzie Lee 12 hitting .184, Lily Kunselman 9 hitting .135, and Kajsa Bates 6 hitting .095; Assists: Jordan Grimes 33; Aces: Lily Kuselman 3; Digs: Lorin Turkdogan 21, Lily Kunselman 15, and MaKenzie Uribe 11; Blocks: Kenzie Lee and Morgan Wigg 3 a piece.
The second match of the night pitted the Lakers against the host, Southwestern Spartans. The Lakers won in 5 sets, (25-20, 25-13, 18-25, 16-25, 15-4). The Lakers came out with control in sets 1 and especially 2, capitilizing on mistakes from the Spartans. In sets 3 and 4 the roles were flopped as the Lakers were full of errors and the Spartans used that the gather moment. In set 5 Lily Kunselman stepped to the line and fired off 7 points and the Lakers never looked back. "Definitely not a match we feel should have went to 5. A very momemtum based Southwestern team that took our mistakes and ran with them. The 5th set was one of the most energy filled, efficient sets we've played in awhile and it earned us the victory'" said Coach Erdman.
"On the day, we still are making too many mistakes and starting slow against opponents that we have confidence we can beat. We will learn from this oppurtunity and come ready for two very important conference matches on Tuesday and Thursday," closed Coach Erdman.
Southwestern Stat Leaders: Kills: Lily Kunselman 15 on .278, Kenzie Lee 15 on .152, Morgan Wigg on .211, and Hailey Shequen with 6; Assists: Jordan Grimes 40; Aces: Lily Kunselman with 4; Digs: Lily Kunselman 19, Lorin Turkdogan 17, MaKenzie Uribe and Jordan Grimes added 11 of their own; Blocks: Morgan Wigg 5
The Lakers are now 6-15 and 1-2 in conference. They have two big ICCAC matchups this week. First they play Northeast Community College on Tuesday 9/24 at 7:00 pm in Laker Gymnasium and then they travel to Sioux City, IA to take on Western Iowa Tech Community College at 6:30 pm on Thursday, 9/26.
MEDIA: Photo of Lily Kunselman: 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.