Eagles Sweep Final Two at Home

By Jonathan Crossman

ANKENY, Iowa – The Eagles finished out their 2020 home schedule with a perfect day of competition, winning all six sets they played and securing an impressive 5-1 season record at home. A good turnout of fans from Visitors' Weekend and visiting parents energized the Eagles' spirits, and made for a good time of celebration after the final win. Even with this years staggered schedule, the Eagles win percentage at home from last year's season has dramatically improved, showing the obvious refinement of the teams discipline and playing style from just a year prior. There are still over ten more away games to be played in the season, meaning the Eagles are far from finished earning their victories.

The afternoon game against Spurgeon College showed the Eagles having control through all three sets, winning most battles along the top of the net to soar to the first victory of the day (25-13, 25-6, 25-8). The evening game against Kansas Christian College was a bit more of a challenge for the Eagles, with very little time to recuperate between games, leading to several close sets (25-22, 25-19, 25-20) and much more pressure for the Eagles' worn out back row. The Falcons players boasted some powerful mid-court hitters, keeping the Eagles defense on their toes through all three sets, and some serving mishaps late in the third set almost gave rise to a comeback from Kansas Christian. However, the Eagles hung on to their lead, concluding the day with their pronounced 3-0 win and a word of prayer with the visiting Falcons.

Captain Alicia Smith came up big in the back-to-back games, using her quick reflexes to deflect balls back over the net on defense and transition to offense with her precision spikes, and Rachel Kleczka dominated with her consistent kill percentage, leading the team in kills (13 kills) and a high amount of points between the two games (13 points), acting as a well-rounded attacker for the Eagles front row. Krystal Wikstrom was another strong contributor combining for 10 kills and 26 digs in the two contests.

The Eagles (6-3) play again at Waldorf University on October 13^th, at 7:00 p.m.