#4 Eagles Edge Out Ellsworth in 5

Iowa Falls, IA- The #4 Eagles traveled to Iowa Falls on Wednesday for a mid-week conference match up with the Ellsworth Panthers. Both teams had won their week one conference matches and were looking to continue the trend. 

In the first set, Kirkwood got off to a fast start and never looked back. The Eagles took the first set 25-15 off a strong start behind the service line. Freshman Marissa Cahoy stood out amongst the Eagles, tallying 5 aces on the night. Set two saw Kirkwood stumble, losing 20-25 to the Panthers. They righted the ship in the 3rd set, beating Ellsworth by a score of 25-13. However, this one would end up going the distance as Kirkwood could not close out the 4th. The 5th set was a back and forth game to start, with both teams trading points. Kirkwood manage to separate itself a bit on the side switch, leading 8-6. The Panthers would steal the next two to tie the game and everything would be knotted at 13-13. Freshman Lily VanSeveren would put up a big dig on the outside swing from Ellsworth and frsehman Josie Bryan would find hands off the block to make the score 14-13. Freshman Natalee Hartman would stay cool behind the service line and after a block touch from sophomore Emma Meester and a dig by sophomore setter Sydney Matthias, Meester would put the final kill away to take the set and match, 15-13. 

Both setters, Johnson and Matthias, put up over 20 assists each. Johnson also added 11 kills of her own while freshman outside Josie Bryan hit .440 with 14 kills. Lily VanSeveren continue to pace the backrow, leading the Eagles with 21 digs. 

The Eagles return to action next Wednesday against Iowa Lakes at home.