NIC VOLLEYBALL: Keisel keys Cardinals' run through North Challenge

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — As freshman Grace Keisel went on Saturday, so did the North Idaho College volleyball team.

Keisel, an outside hitter from Mapleton, Utah, had 13 kills, 19 digs, five blocks and four aces for the Cardinals in a 25-16, 25-20, 24-26, 22-25, 15-12 win over the host Whatcom Orcas in the first of NIC's two matches at the season-opening North Challenge tournament on Saturday.

Sophomore Rachael Stacey had 14 kills, sophomore Jessica Stires 11 kills and freshman Hailey Hillman 40 assists for NIC. Brooke Minden, a sophomore from Post Falls, had 21 digs and four aces and sophomore Rylee Hartwig from Post Falls had nine blocks for NIC.

“All of our hitters did a good job mixing up their shots and getting the ball to the floor,” NIC coach Brittany Tilleman said. “Our serving was really on point today and Rylee put up a good block. Gracie, she’s just been playing really good, all-around volleyball all weekend.”

Later, Keisel had 12 kills, Hartwig 11 kills and four blocks for the Cardinals in a 25-22, 26-28, 25-18, 25-15 win over Everett to conclude the tournament 4-0.

“Things are clicking really well right now,” Tilleman said. “The girls played well through a lot of errors. In that fourth set against Everett, we just focused on playing hard, getting the win and going home. And playing with that intensity worked well.”

Minden had 22 digs, freshman Omayra Valle 19 digs, Hillman 45 assists for NIC, which hosts Bellevue on Tuesday at 7 p.m.