The Heartland volleyball team opened up the 2022 campaign with a 3-1 record at the McHenry County College Invite at the UW Health Sports Factory in Rockford this past weekend. The Hawks opened up play Friday with a three-set victory over Bryant and Stratton College before falling in four sets to Barton Community College in their second contest Friday. Heartland wrapped up the weekend with two wins on Saturday, including a 3-2 triumph over NJCAA DII No. 6 ranked Terra State.
 
Samantha Hovey paced the Hawks in their game one victory (25-17, 25-12, 25-11) with 25 assists and a kill, while Kaitlin Dean contributed 7 kills and 10 digs. Kaitlyn Conway added 17 digs for Heartland.
 
Game two on Friday afternoon saw Heartland struggle to break over the hump, as the Hawks dropped three of four sets to Barton Community College. The Hawks narrowly dropped the first two sets (27-25, 25-23) before winning set three 25-20. Barton responded with a tight 25-22 victory in set four to take the win. Hovey paced the Hawks with 34 assists and 6 kills, while Dean added 15 digs and 8 kills. Olivia Pippin led Heartland in kills with 11.
 
The Hawks would respond on Saturday by taking home two wins, the first of which came over Kankakee Community College in a 3-0 victory (25-11, 25-11, 25-22). All 15 roster members contributed for head coach Mary Frahm and company, with Emma Harper and Holly McDonald leading the way with 6 kills apiece. Pippin added 10 assists for Heartland.
 
In Saturday's nightcap, Heartland came from behind to defeat No. 6 Terra State 3-2. The Hawks won the first set 25-17 before falling 25-12 and 25-23 in the following two frames. Heartland would then pick up a 25-18 victory in set four to set up a 15-13 triumph in the final set to take home the win.Dean led the Hawks with 11 kills and 10 digs. Aaliyah Denius followed with 9 kills, while Hovey led the assist category with 24.
 
The Hawks will return to action at 6 p.m.Tuesday, welcoming Southwestern Illinois College to the FRC for their home opener.