IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth volleyball team twice came from one set down to tie the match only to see NIACC pull out the 5th and decisive set, 15-9, to take the ICCAC match Wednesday night in Dittmer Gym.  After NIACC won the opening set, 25-20, the Panthers rallied for a 27-25 decision in set two.  NIACC again took a one-set advantage by winning, 25-20, before ECC squared things with a 25-23 win in the 4th set.  That set up only the 2nd five-set match of the season for Ellsworth, but the visitors prevailed in what was the first meeting of the year between the conference rivals.

Jade Galligo led the offensive attack for ECC (3-8) with 14 kills and she hit .295.  Haley Forge and Gabi Damiano each had 11 kills and 11 digs.  Kaitlyn Baer paced the Panthers with her 17 digs, Vitoria Kazanovski had 14 and Meghan VanDePol eight.  Kazanovski put up 39 assists and recorded three of ECC's 10 ace serves.  Baer also served three aces and Damiano a pair.  Ellsworth had a season-best 13 blocks, Galligo leading the way with five, one more than Damiano.

The Panthers go to West Burlington to battle Southeastern CC on Friday.