Ottumwa -- After dropping the first set, the DMACC Bears came back to defeat Indian Hills is the season-opening match for both squads on Wednesday night at the Hellyer Center.

Indian Hills started fast with a 25-21 win in the first set, then DMACC won narrow decisions in the next two sets (25-23 and 26-24), before the Warriors rebounded for a 25-17 margin in set four.  The visitors, though, jumped ahead early in the deciding set and went on to claim the match with a 15-8 win.

Mariana Rodrigues, who led IHCC with 18 kills, had six of that total in the first set including the set-winner.

Up eight points in the second set, Indian Hills couldn't hold on despite four Rodrigues kills during a 10-3 run that got IHCC back into the set.

The third set saw DMACC again win a tight one, before the Warriors exploded to a 19-9 lead in the fourth set on the way to tying up the match.

The Bears then dominated the final set to notch the victory.

"We had 22 missed serves and just six aces in the match," said IHCC coach Lyndsey Michel.  "That's not a ratio you can have to win.  I don't know if it was jitters or what, but our mental toughness is something we need to work on."

Rodrigues' 18 kills were three more than teammate Cecilia Campos, the two combining to give the Warriors some strong net play.  Amanda Toyota led in digs with 18, while Rodrigues added 17 and Gabriela Cavalcante had 16.  Setter Laisa Telles Maeda was credited with 55 assists and she recorded three ace serves.

The Warriors will look for their first win of the season when they go to Council Bluffs this weekend for four matches in a tourney hosted by Iowa Western.  IHCC will take on Western Nebraska -- ranked 4th in the preseason DI poll -- followed by Barton (Kans.), Laramie (Wyo.), ranked 12th, and Jefferson (Mo.).