#2 Kirkwood Eagles Sweep Northeast to Close ICCAC Season Strong
Cedar Rapids, IA- The Kirkwood Eagles Volleyball Team capped off their regular season in dominant fashion Wednesday night, sweeping Northeast Community College in straight sets (25–14, 25–12, 25–6) inside Johnson Hall. The win marked the Eagles' 10th conference victory, securing a 10–1 ICCAC record and a second-place finish in the league standings.
Eagles Dominate Start to Finish
From the opening serve, Kirkwood controlled every phase of the match. The Eagles hit an impressive .379 as a team, tallying 42 kills to just nine errors. They set the tone with a balanced attack that overwhelmed Northeast's defense and never allowed the Hawks to find rhythm.
Sophomore outside hitter Madalyn Boyer led the way offensively, hitting a blistering .700 with 8 kills on 10 swings, while Kaci Johnson added 9 kills, 19 assists, and 11 total points in another all-around performance. Carly Wazac was nearly perfect at the net, slamming 7 kills on 12 attempts with a .583 percentage, and Josie Bryan contributed 6 kills with steady play throughout.
Setter Avery Knoop distributed the offense efficiently, recording 17 assists and chipping in a service ace, while libero Natalee Hartman anchored the defense with a team-high 15 digs. The Eagles also showcased their depth, with Chloe Baez, Sydney Brandmeyer, and Marissa Cahoy each adding key offensive sparks off the bench.
Defensive and Serving Strength
Kirkwood's block and back-row defense were equally sharp. The team combined for 12 block assists, led by Boyer and Wazac, who each notched four. On the service line, Boyer also delivered two aces, helping Kirkwood maintain momentum and pressure throughout all three sets.
Next Up: Region 11-B Tournament
With the regular season complete, the Eagles now turn their focus to the postseason. Kirkwood will open Region 11-B Tournament play on Saturday, November 1st, facing Hawkeye Community College in the semifinals. A win would advance them to the Region 11-B Championship on Wednesday, November 5th, to be hosted at Johnson Hall against the winner of Ellsworth and DMACC.
