Volleyball team has successful start to the season
The Century College Volleyball team headed out to Chicago for the start of their season August 26-28 at a tournament hosted by the College of DuPage. The Ducks had a great start, going 3-1 on the weekend.
After a morning of sight seeing the city of Chicago on their first day, the Ducks were ready for competition as they played the first of 4 games that Friday afternoon.
The first day saw the Wood Ducks have 2 matches, and both matches went the distance of 5 sets. In the first match, the Ducks edged out Madison College (WI) 3-2 (25-27, 25-17, 25-12, 18-25, 15-7). Newcomer Jamie Ihfe (Wyoming, MN) led the team with 12 kills while sophomore Mackay Williams (Salmon, ID) was solid on defense with 10 digs. The following match was against Joliet Junior College (IL). The Ducks made a series of unforced errors that put them behind early in the match. They were able to mount a comeback, but eventually lost in 5 sets (14-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16, 12-15). "It's the first matches of our season and we were able to learn from our matches today" stated Head Coach Jay Kam. "I am proud of the way the team battled back after being down two sets to none to Joliet. It shows the grit and resilience on this team." Ihfe and fellow freshman, Kiyomi Callahan (St Paul, MN), led the team with 13 kills a piece while sophomore Emma Crandell (Forest Lake, MN) added in 12 kills. Williams again played quality defense with 12 digs.
Saturday was a day that the Ducks had marked on the calendar as Century was scheduled to play (2) preseason top ten ranked teams on their schedule. The first match against #7 Finger Lakes (NY) went the way of the Ducks in 3 sets (25-18, 25-23, 25-15). Everyone on the team contributed and won because of their exceptional passing, defense, and blocking. Freshmen setters Gabi Schwirtz (Plato, MN) and Cassidy Gilliam (Woodbury, MN) distributed the ball well and combined for 25 assists. In their second match of the day vs $#8 Harper College (IL), the Ducks played phenomenal defense as they defeated #8 Harper in 3 sets (25-22, 25-21, 25-18). Crandell (14 digs), Schwirtz (16 digs), Callahan (15 digs), and Williams (13) didn't let very much hit the ground. Crandell also added 14 kills while Schwirtz ended the match with 27 assists. "When you play great defense, it can frustrate the other team", stated Head Coach Jay Kam. "When they give you their best shots and we can make the plays, it is deflating for the other team," stated coach Jay Kam.
"Coming to a tournament like this and playing these teams is a great learning experience for the team. Century is new to the game and we aren't known by many other programs. I think that we got some attention this weekend and it was encouraging to have opposing coaches and administrators approach me and compliment our team." – Coach Kam
The team returned home late Saturday night and will get back to their studies and prepare for their home opener against St Cloud Technical College on Wednesday, August 31, at 630pm. Come and support as it is going to be a great match!