NIC VOLLEYBALL: Cardinals take first two with Tilleman as coach

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Entering the fifth set of Friday’s season-opening match against host Skagit Valley, first-year North Idaho College volleyball coach Brittany Tilleman’s message was clear.

“Do your job.”

Freshman Grace Keisel had 14 kills and three aces, and Rylee Hartwig — a sophomore from Post Falls — added nine kills and two blocks for the Cardinals in a 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 14-25, 15-13 win over Skagit Valley in the opening match of the North Challenge Tournament.

“It was quite the rollercoaster throughout,” said Tilleman, the former Lake City and NIC volleyball player who was named head coach after Kelsey Stanley stepped down after nine seasons as coach. “There were a lot of first-game jitters for sure. After that fourth set, I told them you’ve got to step up and do your job. After that, the girls really controlled the match.”

Sophomores Jessica Stires and Abby Beaton had eight kills each, sophomore Omayra Valle 22 digs, sophomore Brooke Minden 14 digs and freshman Hailey Hillman 40 assists for NIC.

Later, NIC swept Shoreline 25-19, 25-19, 25-10 to improve to 2-0.

Hillman had 31 assists, Hartwig nine kills and three blocks, Keisel seven kills, eight digs and four aces for NIC.

“It took a little bit to get dialed in and play disciplined,” Tilleman said. “Gracie played great on defense and had a couple of balls that she just cranked to the floor and was really fun to watch.”

NIC concludes the tournament today against Whatcom at 10 a.m., and Bellevue at 4 p.m., at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.