Cyclones have Competitive Start to the 2016 Season

The first week of the 2016 season for the St Cloud Technical and Community College Volleyball team was a great test for the young squad.  Four out of the five opponents the Cyclones faced were NJCAA Division II programs.  The Cyclones finished the week with a notable 3-2 record. 

On Monday the Cyclones faced North Dakota State College of Science falling 1-3 to the Wildcats.  Chloe Callahan, second year outside from Maple Lake, and Caitlin Walser-Deuel, first year middle from Big Lake, led in kills with 6 apiece.  Kalli Mathiasen, first year setter from Apollo, and Ally Bushendorf, first year setter from Eau Claire, WI, ran the offense earning a combined 20 set assists.  Callahan led the defense with 15 digs.

Friday was day one of the SCTCC tournament with the Cyclones earning a win over Mesabi Range 3-1. Mathiasen led the offense in kills with 11 and also had 16 set assists.  Payton Thompson, second year defensive specialist from Big Lake, and Karlee Kern, first year outside from BBE, each had 11 digs.  Whitney Haney, first year middle from BOLD, defended the net with 2 blocks. In the second match of the day the Cyclones defeated Dakota County 3-0.  Hannah VanHale, second year outside from Bertha-Hewitt, Kalie Jergens, first year outside from Becker and Kaitlyn Johnson, first year middle from Crosby Ironton led in kills.  Chelsea Schroeder, defensive specialist from ROCORI, led in digs with 12.

Saturday, the Cyclones started day two of their tournament defeating Dakota College Bottineau 3-0.  Jergens led with 10 kills, McKayla Quade, first year middle from Paynesville, added 6 kills, hitting a .600. Bushendorf and Alex Ludington, second year setter from Chippewa Falls, WI, led the offense with a combined 25 set assists.  In the second match of the day the Cyclones fell to North Iowa Area Community College, 3-0.  Mathiasen and Jergen both earned 7 kills while Schroeder led with 13 digs.

Sixth year Head coach, Heidi Smith, is excited about the versatility and energy her team has this year. "We have a talented group of athletes who are great teammates and great people.  I am excited to see how we progress throughout the season. The improvement has already been impressive."