Heartland volleyball wrapped up a successful 2-1 weekend with statement wins against No 2 Cowley County and No. 12 Pensacola State.
No. 10 Gulf Coast State def. No. 6 Heartland, 3-2 (13-25, 22-25, 25-22, 27-25, 11-15)
Heartland started off the tourney on the wrong foot, dropping a five-set thriller against Gulf Coast State. The Hawks dropped the first two sets, but showed resilience by taking sets three and four forcing a critical fifth set, but ultimately fell 11-15. The Hawks showed their defensive prowess with five different players with 10-plus digs. Outside hitter
Elena Kvasnicka had 23 digs to pair with 17 kills to lead the Hawks on offense. Defensive specialist
Kayleigh Keim had a team-high 24 digs, as well. Outside hitter
Ava Yeakel recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 15 digs. Outside hitter
Addison Pacha had the second-most kills for the Hawks with 16.
No. 6 Heartland def. No. 2 Cowley County, 3-2 (25-20, 19-25, 27-29, 25-17, 15-12)
The Hawks were on the right end of this five-set barnburner, taking down the No. 2 team in the country. Heartland took the first set before dropping the next two to put their backs against the wall. Heartland, once again, did not back down, winning the next two sets to take down Cowley. Yeakel was on fire on defense and offense with 13 kills and 20 digs. The Hawks were excellent serving the ball with 11 service aces. Yeakel, Keim and Pacha all had three. The Hawks were strong at the net as well with nine total blocks. Kvasnicka led the team in kills again with 16 in 37 attempts.
No. 6 Heartland def. No. 12 Pensacola State, 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-15)
The Hawks wrapped up the weekend with a dominant sweep over Pensacola State. The Hawks were extremely efficient on offense, hitting .333 as a team with 46 kills. Kvasnicka was the leader with 15 kills at a .367 clip. Yeakel and Pacha continued to excel on both offense and defense with double doubles. Yeakel had 12 kills and 10 digs while Pacha had 10 kills and 16 digs. Pacha also hit at an impressive .500 clip. The Hawks were serving at a high level again, with 11 aces, including three from Yeakel.
The Hawks get an 11-day break before returning to the FRC to face Kankakee on Oct. 28 at 6:00 p.m.
Â
