FORT DODGE - The Kirkwood volleyball team ran into one of the hottest teams in the country and lost to Southwestern Community College in the Region XI-B finals, 31-33, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, Saturday afternoon in Fort Dodge.

Southwestern (32-9) will take a 12-match winning streak to the national tournament in Toledo, Ohio, Nov. 21-23.

The seventh-ranked Eagles defeated Southwestern, 3-1, during the regular season Sept. 11 at Kirkwood, but the Eagles fell short Saturday after taking the marathon first game 33-31.

Kirkwood ends the year with a 32-8 record.

Erin Walker led Kirkwood with 19 kills. Alicen Wintermote had 12, Payton Hilton 11, Chelsea Gryp 10 and Heather Poula nine.

Amber Timmins collected 50 assists for the Eagles. Cali Beyer had 25 digs. Wintermote blocked six shots.