The Heartland volleyball team continued play with three home matches this past week. The Hawks opened the frame with a loss to Illinois Central College on Wednesday before sweeping Southeastern Iowa Community College and Joliet Junior College Friday to improve to 25-6 on the season.
 
In a battle of top-10 clubs, the Hawks would face an early deficit Wednesday in front of an energizing crowd. No. 10-ranked ICC came out hot, defeating the Hawks 25-20 and 25-23 in the first two sets. Heartland would rebound with two straight set wins of its own, but the Cougars rallied late in the final set to escape with the road victory. Kaitlin Dean led the Hawks with 16 kills and 22 digs. Samantha Hovey poured in 48 assists, 5 kills and 15 digs. Kennedy Conrad added 35 digs.
 
On Friday, Heartland welcomed Southeastern Iowa Community College and Joliet Junior College to the FRC for a round robin, with the Hawks cruising to two wins. The Hawks opened with a clean sweep of SCC in the morning. Emma Harper finished with 9 kills and 3 digs. Hovey contributed 34 assists, while Dean supplied 18 digs and 5 kills.
 
Heartland continued this momentum into Friday afternoon's final game against Joliet Junior College. Harper once again had 9 kills in the victory. Hovey added 29 assists, with Conrad finishing with 18 digs.
 
The Hawks will return to action Oct. 28-29 at the Parkland College Tournament.