Volleyball Closes First Season with 3-2 Loss at Regionals

NORFOLK, Neb.–The Hawkeye Community College volleyball team was defeated by NIACC 3-2 in the first round of the Region XI Championships on Saturday, October 27. 

The RedTails fell behind early, dropping the first two sets (25-17, 25-21), answering back with two wins (26-24, 25-20), before dropping in the final set 15-10.

"The season did not end as we would have liked it to," said head coach Scott Weston. "We battled back from 2-0 to even it up two sets apiece, but we just couldn't gain enough momentum in the fifth to complete the comeback."

Megan Hudson led the RedTails with 22 kills, followed by Brooke Dreesman and Jessica Hopkins who collected 11 kills each. On the defensive side, Leah Carter led the RedTails with 21 digs followed by teammate Haylee Keune who collected 20.

"We were initially picked sixth in the conference, and we finished third," Weston said, reflecting on the RedTails' first season. "I don't think anyone except coaches and our players expected the kind of success we experienced… We created an environment in our gym with our level of play that was tough on opponents. Anytime you can go undefeated in your own house with the quality of competition we played – that is a huge positive."

The RedTails finished the season 18-8, 7-2 in the conference.

"I can't even put into words how proud I am of this group," Weston said. "We beat No. 5 DMACC at home, we were down 2-1 against No. 8 Kirkwood and won in five. We were down multiple games this year by double digits and came back to win a few of those games. That's a testament to the never quit attitudes the girls had. No matter the odds, they kept fighting."