KCC volleyball wins regional title

The Kirkwood Eagles made it look easy Tuesday night, but then it got really hard.

That made it special.

The fifth-ranked Eagles tripped seventh-ranked DMACC, 3-1, to claim the Regional XI-B volleyball title at Johnson Hall to move within one step of making the national tournament.

Kirkwood (17-4) will host East Central College (13-6) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the district finals, with the winner claiming a spot in the NJCAA Division II national meet that will be held in downtown Cedar Rapids at the Alliant Energy Powerhouse April 13-15.

The Eagles did everything right in the first two sets Tuesday and overwhelmed DMACC in those games, 25-16, 25-16, in an impressive display in all facets.

Then it got tough. And exciting.

"Yes it did," said Kirkwood sophomore Anna Gorsich. "Very intense."

DMACC captured the third set, 25-22, and took a 19-15 lead in the fourth set in an effort to square the match, but Kirkwood responded like regional champs.

The Eagles rallied to win that fourth set, 25-23, on a kill by Jada Golden-Smith and the celebration began.

"I'm very proud of our team, for not giving up and just pushing through," said Gorsich, the region XI B tournament MVP. "We knew it would be a challenge and we just pulled it off."

Kirkwood had a similar match with DMACC last Tuesday, winning the first two sets before prevailing 3-1.

"We were kind of expecting them to not give up," said Gorsich, "because that's what happened a week ago when we played them."

Emily Strauss made big shots all night and led Kirkwood with 17 kills. Gorsich collected 16 kills and Katie Kopriva had eight. Rachael Nelson dished out 46 assists. Allison Pisarcik made 23 digs. Golden-Smith and Maggie Peters blocked four shots.

Kopriva and Pisarcik joined Gorsich on the all-tournament team.

East Central College, located in Union, Mo., won the Region 16 title to reach the district finals.

"It's a district match," said Kirkwood Coach Jill Williams. "They're going to bring their best, and we know we have to bring ours."

"It's home, so that's a good thing," said Gorsich, looking forward to Saturday. "We'll have our fans and I think we'll be good."

Williams has made six trips to the national tournament with Kirkwood in 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The Eagles are one victory away from reaching the national event again.

"We're all very excited," said Gorsich, "especially since it's in our hometown this year."