MASON CITY and DUBUQUE, IOWA -- The Ellsworth volleyball team had an impressive weekend, winning three-of-four matches. The Panthers split a pair of matches at the NIACC Tournament on Friday, beating Southwestern CC and dropping a 3-2 decision to Iowa Lakes. On Saturday, in Dubuque, ECC defeated Grace Christian and Emmaus Bible College.
"It's always a great feeling winning three out of the four matches," said Ellsworth head coach Sara Jesse. "There were definitely some positives taken from the weekend that should help with our momentum moving forward. Especially, seeing success from everyone on the court. It was good to see some good team wins."
Against Southwestern, Ellsworth won in straight sets, 25-16, 25-19 and 25-15. The highlight was a season-best hitting percentage of .339 with Gabi Damiano pacing ECC with 7 kills and Sydney Clark adding 6. Hanna Forge had 11 assists and Nuria Bravo Santos 10 while five other Panthers also had an assist. ECC served 8 aces, half of them by Hanna Forge and two more by Bravo Santos. Haley Forge's 18 digs led in that category with Damiano credited with 11 and Jada Smith 10. Clark and Emma Rosonke each were in on 4 blocks.
The set scores in the first three sets in the Iowa Lakes match were 25-22 with the Lakers winning the first one and ECC taking the next two. Iowa Lakes evened things up with a 25-11 decision in set 4 and won the decisive set, 15-11. Damiano again topped the Panthers with her 14 kills. Rosonke drilled 11 and Louise Lion 8. Rosonke hit .350. Bravo Santos led with 21 assists and Hanna Forge added 18. Of the Panthers' 89 digs, Haley Forge picked up 26, Smith 24 and Damiano 21. Rosonke and Lion had 4 blocks each.
The Panthers swept Grace Christian the next day, winning 25-22, 25-20, 25-16. The net attack was led by Damiano with 10 kills followed by 7 apiece for Lion and Rosonke. Hanna Forge was the assists leader with 17, three more than Bravo Santos. Haley Forge served 3 aces and Smith and Damiano two each. Three Panthers had double-digit digs totals -- Smith with 17, Damiano 16 and Haley Forge 12. Rosonke totaled a season-best 7 blocks.
After claiming the first two sets against Emmaus Bible College, 25-17 and 25-15, the Panthers lost the 3rd set 25-22, before cruising in the 4th, 25-6. Damiano and Rosonke tied with 10 kills and Haley Forge added 8. Gabi hit .364 and Emma .316. The assists leaders were nearly identical -- 12 for Hanna Forge and 11 for Bravo Santos. ECC served a dozen aces led by Bravo Santos's 5. Ten players recorded at least one dig, paced by Damiano's 10. And Rosonke closed out a good weekend with 4 blocks, giving the freshman 19 for the 4 matches.
Coach Jesse said, "Serve-receive is a key area in volleyball as it is the first touch that dictates how the play progresses. From the start of the season to now, this has been something we are continuously working and improving on. Our connections between setters and hitters with our quicker offense has also been a big area that has improved as well."
All of the ECC hitters received praise from the coach for their contributions during the weekend. And the two setters -- Hanna and Nuria -- have done a great job, she pointed out, as the season has progressed of moving the ball around with quicker tempos to give the hitters the best opportunities against the block. "Our even offense is definitely a testament to our setters' efforts of keeping everyone involved on the court," Jesse explained.
"Especially from this last Friday, that has been the most consistent and cohesive we have looked collectively as a team," the Ellsworth coach said. "And that's exactly what we want happening in the back half of the season. The season always goes so quickly, but I'm excited for the direction we are continuing to head with the remaining matches left."
The Panthers play at Southeastern CC on Wednesday night.