NORFOLK, NE – No. 14-rated Indian Hills looked like the team that the NJCAA bestowed a top-20 ranking on today, getting on the winning track after a pair of season-opening losses. The Warriors dropped the first set at ICCAC foe, Northeast, before finding their rhythm and putting away the host Hawks in four sets, 21-25, 27-25, 25-19 and 25-17.
Coach Lyndsey Michel has been trying different lineups in hopes of finding the right combination that until today had eluded the Warriors, and the IHCC coach pushed another button today which seemed to have unlocked the team's potential.
Michel turned to freshman Anja Vranic at the libero spot and the Warrior attack came alive by turning defense into offense.
"A tweak of the lineup came out favorable today," Michel said. "Anja Vranic wore the libero jersey and led our serve receive in a manner that allow our offense to execute."
Serve-receive had been noted by Michel as an area of frustration in the opening two losses, but Vranic was a steadying force (19 digs, 23-of-24 serve receive) that seemed to be contagious against the Hawks as IHCC only had five receiving errors on the day (82-5, 94.25%).
"We had three options on several occasions this afternoon for hitters and they took every opportunity to finish rallies and put the ball away," Michel added.
The player that benefitted the most from the revamped lineup was Gabriela Cavalcante Oliveria as the Warrior sophomore had her career best game on the outside as she finished with 26 kills. The Brazilian added 10 digs and was 14-of-15 serving with an ace for good measure.
"Gabby brought power today and lit the fire that sparked her team's motivation flame," said Michel.
The Warriors and Hawks were deadlocked at 20 in the opening set with neither team gaining much momentum, and a late burst by the hosts sent Northeast to a 1-0 lead with a 25-21 win.
To IHCC's credit, the tables were turned in another tight set in the second stanza. The teams were deadlocked at 16 and from that point there were four more ties, but never a lead change as Michel's troops refused to drop the set, winning 27-25.
Clearly the Warriors had gained their stride and the Hawks had no answer for repeated attacks from Oliveria, Jenna Vallee and Jarolin de Los Santos. Vallee was outstanding with 18 digs, 7 kills and was 15-of-16 from the service line. de Los Santos added strength at the net with seven kills and five blocks. Hennesys Lalane led the team in assists with 38. Cassia Lemos added 12 assists and five digs.
The decisive fourth set was knotted up at 5-5 when sophomore Bailea Yahnke followed up a de Los Santos kill with three straight ace serves to spark the Warriors to another lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Northeast got to within 15-14, but back-to-back kills by Jentry Schafer and Oliveira sparked Indian Hills again and a 7-0 Warrior run ended the contest, 25-17.
The win moves IHCC to 1-2 on the season while Northeast fell to 1-4. The Warriors will take the weekend off and will be back in action next Tuesday when they travel to Marshalltown to take on MCC at the Student Activity Center. First serve is set for 7 p.m.