Kirkwood Volleyball

KCC volleyball makes national tourney

CRESTON - The eighth-ranked Kirkwood women's volleyball team topped No. 16 DMACC, 26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 25-12, in the regional finals Saturday and earned a spot in the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

The Eagles (32-8) finished seventh at the national tournament last year and will be looking for an even higher finish this time in Charlestown, W.Va., from Nov. 17-19.

Margaret Micka and Alex Miner led a typically balanced attack with 11 kills apiece against DMACC. Morgan Grimm contributed nine kills, Erica Armstrong had seven kills and Alexa Whipple provided five kills.

Caiti Peterson rolled up 37 assists for the Eagles. Grimm collected 15 digs and Whipple had 13 digs. Erica Armstrong was credited with a whopping 12 blocks in the match and Whipple had six.

Kirkwood spikes No. 12 Illinois Central

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The eighth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles won both of their matches at the Parkland volleyball tournament this weekend, including a 3-1 victory over 12th-ranked Illinois Central on Friday.

The Eagles rallied to top Illinois Central, 15-25, 25-20, 25-12, 25-22. Alexa Whipple and Riley Longden led the way with 10 kills and Alex Miner had seven. Caiti Peterson collected 41 assists, Jenna Laxton had 17 digs and Miner blocked four shots.

Kirkwood swept Sauk Valley, 26-24, 25-18, 25-22, on Saturday behind 12 kills by Madsy Richards. Petersen finished with 30 assists, Laxton had nine digs and Miner blocked four shots.

Kirkwood raised its record to 30-8.

The Eagles will host Southeastern Community College in the opening round of the regional tournament Wednesday.

Kirkwood spiked by Indian Hills

The Kirkwood women's volleyball team hosted a strong club from Indian Hills Tuesday night and lost, 25-15, 25-15, 25-20, in a junior college match at Johnson Hall.

Kirkwood is ranked No. 8 in NJCAA Division II, but Indian Hills is ranked No. 5 in Division I.

Madsy Richards led the Eagles (28-8) with eight kills. Caiti Peterson had 18 assists. Jenna Laxton finished with 14 digs.

Eagles are undefeated ICCAC champions

NORFOLK, Neb. - The Kirkwood women's volleyball team swept Northeast Community College, 3-0, Wednedsay night to claim the ICCAC title with a perfect 8-0 record.

The ninth-ranked Eagles earned a 25-21, 25-21, 25-18 verdict to win the league title by at least two games. Northeast, DMACC and Iowa Central all have 5-2 records with one match left in their conference campaigns.

Madsy Richards led a balanced attack for Kirkwood with 11 kills. Erica Armstrong had nine kills, Alex Miner eight kills, Margaret Micka six kills and Morgan Grimm six kills.

Caiti Peterson notched 35 digs for the Eagles. Jenna Laxton had three ace serves. Grimm finished with 18 digs, Laxton had 15 digs and Richards, Micka and Peterson all had 11 digs. Armstrong collected four blocks.

Kirkwood raised its overall record to 28-7.