The Communique

Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports

Riding a wave of success, the Kirkwood volleyball team is heading into the postseason with a target on their backs.

With a 29-8 record and a national ranking, the Eagles will take to the court in the Region 11 tournament to prove they are worth the hype.

Their impressive run through October began with a four-match winning streak that included victories over regional foes Southeastern, Southwestern and Clinton community colleges.

Bouncing back from a first-set loss, the Eagles upset the then-No. 1-ranked Division II team from Columbus State at the Kishwaukee tournament on Oct. 17 at Wisconsin Dells. The Eagles finished 3-2 at the tournament, falling to second-ranked Kishwaukee Community College and 16th-ranked McHenry College.

"[Beating Columbus State] proved to us that we can beat anybody. It shows that our hard work is paying off," said sophomore volleyball player Kamille Van Natta.

While the team worked to gain awareness for breast cancer during the "Dig Pink" night on campus, it faced a different challenge from Des Moines Area Community College on Oct. 21. In a match that would ultimately decide the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference North Division champion, Kirkwood outlasted the Bears in a thrilling five-set match, 25-17, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, and 15-11.

The volleyball team also honored its sophomore players Deidre Schaefer, Kamille Van Natta, Tima Amr, Heather Brus and Julia Brus for their dedication to the program.

"The game was intense from the first serve to the last serve. I felt that heading into a long match our players would have the advantage," said head volleyball coach Jill Williams.

"We knew it would be a tough match. To get that win was the first building block as we head into the rest of the season," said middle blocker Jordynn Brackey.

With the victory over DMACC, Kirkwood clinches a No.1 seed for the regional tournament and will have the Eagles Nest advantage as they host a first-round game Nov. 4.

National rankings have been a common theme for Kirkwood volleyball opponents. A road trip to Overland Park, Kan., on Oct. 24 led the team to a bittersweet weekend. Kirkwood topped Baker College in three sets but fell in five-sets to ninth-ranked Johnson County Community College.

"We are proud of the progress we have made, but we have a lot more to do before the end," said Van Natta.



Kirkwood ended its regular season Oct. 28 at Iowa Western, after this issue was printed.

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