NIC VOLLEYBALL: Cardinals badger Bellevue, advance to semifinals
NIC ATHLETICS North Idaho College sophomore right-side hitter Jessica Stires puts a ball down during the fourth set of Friday's Northwest Athletic Conference Championship quarterfinal match at Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash.
NIC ATHLETICS North Idaho College sophomore outside hitter Rachael Stacey returns a ball during the second set of Friday's match against Bellevue.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Once North Idaho College adjusted to its surroundings on Friday, the Cardinals just had to find the floor again.
After dropping the first set, NIC bounced back to beat the Bellevue Bulldogs 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 25-14 to advance to the semifinals of the Northwest Athletic Conference Championships at Pierce College.
“Coming into the match, we had a ‘we’re here, so that’s that feeling, and really had to calm down,” first-year NIC coach Brittany Tilleman said. “We played with too much excitement and made some dumb errors. Once we settled down, we were able to breathe and started playing for each other.”
Rachael Stacey, a sophomore outside hitter from Helena, Mont., had 16 kills and 11 digs, sophomore Abigail Beaton of Pasco, Wash., 13 kills and sophomore Rylee Hartwig of Post Falls 11 kills and four digs for NIC (31-1), which advanced to face Yakima Valley in the semifinals today at 2 p.m.
“They just stayed really high on the block,” Tilleman said of the three. “When we’d stay high, we were looking for the high hands. We just made them move and did a good job of finding the floor. Rachael had some big swings. Our middles are just fast and sometimes they can’t get the block up in time. One way or another, we’re going to create a hole and let our hitters have some fun.”
Karolyne Wolfgramm, a freshman setter from West Valley City, Utah, had 47 assists, 10 digs and two aces for NIC.
“She really got things started for us at the service line,” Tilleman said. “She’s just a solid player and keeps us level-headed on the court. She really did a good job of keeping us focused on the next play.”
NIC beat Yakima Valley in three sets in each of their conference matches this season.
“We can’t afford to overlook anyone here,” Tilleman said. “They’re on the other side of the net for a reason right now. We’re fired up to go after some things and our girls are holding true to that.”
Emma Haywood had seven kills for Bellevue, which finished 28-6.
NIC ATHLETICS North Idaho College sophomore outside hitter Rachael Stacey returns a ball during the second set of Friday's match against Bellevue.