COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – No. 5-rated Iowa Western looked every bit of the part Sunday in sweeping Indian Hills in straight sets, winning 25-18, 25-14 and 25-23.
The Warriors came in winners of 12-of-13 matches, but the Reivers entered even hotter as owners of a 15-game win streak since a 3-3 start to the season. Over that stretch, Iowa Western had not been pushed past a fourth set even once, and in 12 of those matches, the Reivers won in straight sets.
Make that 13 now.
Despite the loss, IHCC Head Coach Lyndsey Michel pointed to the positives, namely how Jenna Vallee and Gabriela Cavalcante Oliveira competed against the talented Reivers.
"Our offenseive spark came from Jenna when she started to battle up there against the block and finished a rally," Michel said. "Then Gabi caught fire and we were able to be less predictable, but it was too little, too late. We need a block that shows just a little more physicality on a regular occasion. That will be important for us heading into the postseason."
Precious Daley led in kills with nine followed by seven each from Vallee and Cavalcante Oliveira. Overall the Warriors struggled up front with IWCC, hitting at just a .096 clip.
"Like a lot of teams, we have some end-of-the-year bumps and bruises and some soreness that's hindering our effectiveness," Michel admitted. "I wish every day at practice that we could go into it with everyone at 100 percent and just focused on what we need to do to beat the next team on our schedule."
"After a game like this, it's hard as their coach, because while I'd like to be upset with them, I know what they're capable of, but on any given day we don't know what our lineup may look like and it's hard to develop any kind of consistency. It's something we haven't gotten to have in quite some time lately, even in practice."
Cassia Lemos had 26 assists and 11 digs while libero Anja Vranic led the team in digs with 16 and had four ace serves. Bailea Yahnke was 12-for-12 at the service stripe with a pair of aces.
Iowa Western has completed its conference slate and is 19-3 overall and a perfect 11-0 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference.
Indian Hills (13-7 overall, 9-4 ICCAC) has wrapped up league play and will go on the road for their regular season finale Tuesday night at Park Hills, Missouri for a rematch with Mineral Area (12-8). The Warriors have defeated the Cards on two occasions this season, both by 3-1 margins. IHCC topped Mineral area on February 20 at the Blue Dragon Classic on the final day at the Hutchinson, Kansas event, and just a week and a half ago on March 11 at the Hellyer Center.
The Warriors will then look to prepare for the super regional tournament beginning on April 2.
"It's time to find our focus and hopefully get healthier so we know who we will be playing next to," Michel added. "That way everyone can be reliable and held accountable."