Sterling, CO – Winners of seven in a row, the No. 4 ranked Indian Hills Volleyball team is set for a trip to the Mountain Time Zone for the Sheila Worley Tournament this weekend. The Warriors head out west sporting a 14-1 overall record.
DETAILS: 2022 Sheila Worley Tournament
Friday, September 9 – Saturday, September 10
Watch Live: Northeastern Athletics
Tickets: Northeastern Athletics
Following an impressive 6-0 week, the Warriors earned the No. 4 spot in the latest NJCAA DI Volleyball rankings ahead of the team's trip to Colorado. The Warriors will take on four opponents this weekend, including three nationally ranked foes. The Warriors will take on No. 5 Western Nebraska Community College and No. 19 Northeastern Junior College (CO) on Friday before squaring off with No. 17 Hutchinson Community College (KS) and Casper College (WY) on Saturday.
LOOKING AT THE WARRIORS
One of the top statistical teams in the nation across numerous categories, the Warriors have won seven matches in a row all by way of 3-0 sweeps. The Warriors have toppled five nationally ranked opponents this year and have its highest national ranking since the 2015 season.
Indian Hills currently leads the nation in total blocks with 161 this season while the team's 65 solo blocks are best in the NJCAA. The Warriors also rank in the top-five in hitting percentage, assists, kills, aces, and block assists.
Individually, the Warriors grabbed a series of accolades this week as sophomore Hennesys Lalane (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/__) and Sasha Vidal (__) were named ICCAC Athletes of the Week while Vidal, the nation's leader in digs, was named the NJCAA National Athlete of the Week.
SIZING UP THE COUGARS
Western Nebraska has jumped out to an 11-1 start on the year with the team's only loss coming from the same opponent that gave Indian Hills its lone loss this season – No. 6 Salt Lake Community College (UT).
The Cougars and Indian Hills have squared off just four times dating back to the 2010 season with the Warriors taking three of the four matchups, including the last contest on August 21, 2021 at the Reiver Classic in Council Bluffs, IA.
Western Nebraska currently boasts three individuals with at least 90 kills on the year, led by returning NJCAA All-American Erica Fava's 128 and Jenna Curtis' 114.
SIZING UP THE PLAINSWOMEN
A perennial national contender, Northeastern entered the year ranked No. 10 in the preseason NJCAA National Poll, but have fallen to No. 19 after a 5-5 record to start the year. After an 0-3 start, the Plainswomen have won five of their last seven, including a 3-0 sweep at Salt Lake on Sept. 3.
Northeastern currently holds a 2-1 record against the Warriors since 2010, but Indian Hills stole the last matchup, a 3-1 victory on August 20, 2021 at the Reiver Classic.
Northeastern is one of the top blocking teams in the nation with six individuals standing 6'0 or taller. The Plainswomen rank 14th in the nation with 2.15 blocks/set.
SIZING UP THE BLUE DRAGONS
Indian Hills will meet No. 17 Hutchinson for the second time this year. The two teams squared off in the season opener this year on August 19, a 3-2 victory for the Warriors at the Reiver Classic. Since dropping its first two contests of the year, the Blue Dragons put together a 10-match winning streak and have won 13 of its last 14.
The Blue Dragons lead the nation with 708 kills on the year and rank second with 632 assists. Freshman Taniya Golden leads the team with 143 kills this year.
SIZING UP THE THUNDERBIRDS
Casper and Indian Hills will square off for a second time this year as well. The Warriors battled with the Thunderbirds at the Reiver Classic on August 19 and took home a 3-2 victory in Council Bluffs behind a team-high 14 kills from Larissa Barreiros Scatamburlo.
The Thunderbirds have played one of the most challenging schedules in the nation, facing 10 teams that are currently in the national rankings within the team's first 13 matches. Casper is currently 2-11 on the year.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Following the Warriors' trip to Colorado, Indian Hills returns home to take on ICCAC foe Iowa Western Community College in the team's conference opener at the Hellyer Center. The Warriors and Reivers will square off at 7:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to wear white to 'White Out Hellyer'.
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