#7 Kirkwood Volleyball Opens Season with Back-to-Back Sweeps

The Kirkwood Eagles volleyball team launched their 2025 campaign in dominant fashion on August 22, sweeping both #10 Pensacola and #20 Mott Community College to start the season 2-0.

Match One: Kirkwood vs. Pensacola

In their opener, the Eagles fought off a scrappy Pensacola squad for a 3–0 victory (25–21, 25–20, 25–21). Kirkwood's balanced attack carried the day, led by outside hitter Marissa Cahoy, who tallied 9 kills on an efficient .364 hitting percentage. Middle blockers Chloe Baez and Madalyn Boyer were equally effective, each hitting .500 with 4 and 7 kills, respectively.

Setter Kaci Johnson fueled the offense with 15 assists while also contributing 7 kills of her own. At the service line, Kirkwood recorded 9 aces, highlighted by Boyer's 2 and Johnson's 1. Defensively, libero Natalee Hartman anchored the back row with 17 digs as Kirkwood out-dug Pensacola 53–36.

The Eagles finished the match hitting .298 as a team, showing early-season rhythm and control at the net.

Match Two: Kirkwood vs. Mott

Kirkwood's second contest of the day was even more one-sided, as the Eagles cruised past Mott in straight sets (25–12, 25–16, 25–9). The team's offensive efficiency soared, hitting .423 overall with just 5 attack errors in 71 swings.

Setter Johnson turned in a standout performance, posting 10 kills with a blistering .714 hitting percentage while also dishing out 10 assists. Sydney Brandmeyer added 10 kills and 10 digs for a double-double, while Boyer chipped in 5 kills and a team-high 5 blocks.

At the net, Kirkwood recorded 7 blocks, led by Boyer and Carly Wazac. Hartman again steadied the defense with 13 digs, while the team combined for 8 service aces.

What's Next

Kirkwood will finish up its opening weekend tournament on Saturday with two more matches—facing Palm Beach State at 8 a.m. and a top-15 showdown against No. 12 Grand Rapids at 12 p.m.