SMC VB 3-1 at Owens, Beat Ranked McHenry County

The SMC Volleyball Team continued the fast start to the season in Ohio over the weekend. 

Friday, they played big in Day One of the tough Owens Invitational by taking down #22-ranked McHenry County in five sets 19-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-21, and 20-18, and then followed that up by defeating Edison State in a 4 set battle 22-25, 30-28, 25-15, and 25-17.

Head Coach Jenny Nate said, "I am so incredibly proud of this team.  We had hours and hours of crazy delays along with facing off with ranked and powerhouse teams, and came out on top in both finishing the final match around 10:15 pm. This team proved they have the grit, skill, and drive to beat the best. Now, we have to get some rest and be back on the court for the first match of the day against two more tough teams and repeat the wins one point at a time."

Leading scorers for Friday: Talan Hiemstra 27 points, 6 aces; Anna Johnson 17 points, 2 aces; Gia Jania 17 points, 1 ace; Ryli Burks 16 points, 2 aces; Josie West 15 points, 2 aces; Cadence Knight 13 points, 2 aces

Kills: Josie West 29, Ryli Burks 19, Gia Jania 13, Talan Hiemstra 13, Kallie Solloway 12, Abi Marquis 11, Zyon Brazo 5, Anna Johnson 2, Amanda Jones 1, Cadence Knight 1

Blocks: Gia Jania 9, Josie West 6, Ryli Burks 4, Abi Marquis 4, Kallie Solloway 2, Talan Hiemstra 2, Zyon Brazo 1

Digs: Cadence Knight 61, Ryli Burks 34, Amanda Jones 29, Josie West 27, Anna Johnson 18, Talan Hiemstra 14, Gia Jania 7, Kallie Solloway 5, Abi Marquis 3, Zyon Brazo 2

Assists: Anna Johnson 46, Ryli Burks 38

Then on Saturday, the Roadrunners went 1-1, for an overall tally of 3-1 on the weekend. Nate said, "This has been a weekend of milestones for SMC Volleyball.  Coming off of a great night last night beating #22 McHenry County followed by a tough Edison State, we played the first match of the day and lost to a very strong, fast, and tough Vincennes Team 13-25, 13-25, and 17-25.  It didn't get us down though; we analyzed why they won, what we can learn from the match, and how we can improve to be ready for Muskegon in a few hours. We know playing these larger tougher competitors might result in a loss, but that's also the only way to get better and beat those caliber of teams, and that is exactly what we did this afternoon taking Muskegon to a fifth set and beating them 22-25, 23-25, 27-25, 25-19, and 15-9.  We know how to win.  We have learned that in the past two weeks; we have to continue to expect to win every time we step on the court, maintain our energy, and execute the way we practice.  We needed this weekend to prepare us for conference play, and now we have great film to analyze and know exactly what we need to work on the most moving forward. We are excited for week three."

The Roadrunners are now 8-2 on the season.