NIC loses in five sets to Salt Lake

The top ranked North Idaho College volleyball team was upset in a close five game match against the visiting Salt Lake C.C. Bruins Sept. 20, the Cardinals’ first loss of the season.

The Lady Cardinals began the night strong with a 25-19 victory, solidified by freshman HayleeMae Dennis’ game-winning spike.

In the second game, the Cardinals again took a quick 3-0 lead, leaving the Bruins behind for the majority of the game. But at 19–17, with the Cardinals still in the lead, the Bruins found their rhythm, going on a 5-0 run. They completed the comeback winning Game Two 25-21.

In the third game, the teams were playing even, no one taking a significant lead until around the middle of the set. NIC freshman Marissa Verduci broke a 12-12 tie with a spike. The Cardinals were able to ride this momentum, eventually winning on another spike by Verduci for the win, 25-22.

With the Cardinals up 2-1 in the match, the Bruins’ defense came alive. Quickly, the Cardinals fell behind 5-12. The lead was too much to overcome as NIC lost Game Four, 15-25.

In the final set, NIC took a 1-0 lead after the Cardinals’ 6-foot middle blocker Yang Yang blocked an attempted spike by the visiting Bruins, bringing hope to the enthusiastic NIC home crowd.

Yet that was one of the last bright spots for Cardinals fans, as the Bruins went on a 4-0 run, and were unwilling to render the lead for the remainder of the game. Astonished Cardinals fans watched as the No. 1 team in the nation lost the final game 15-8, with the Bruins taking the match 3 games to 2.

“We really just kind of shut down,” freshman HayleeMae Dennis said. “We didn’t really have confidence like we usually do.”

Midway through the second set, fans held their breath when starter Kaitlyn Molloy fell, seemingly twisting her ankle. She did not return until the final game of the match.

With the loss, NIC is 0-1 in the Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) and 13-1 overall. Their next game will be Saturday at 1 p.m. when they meet the visiting Snow College Badgers.