Columbus, NE – Freshman Miranda Smith (Albion, IA/Marshalltown) led the offensive attack for the Marshalltown Community College women's volleyball team on Friday night, but the Tigers dropped a pair of matches on the opening day of the Central Nebraska Invitational. MCC fell to Northeast CC and Butler CC, both by scores of 3-0.
The Tigers opened up the invite against Northeast CC, falling in straight sets 25-18, 25-19, and 25-15, snapping MCC's two-match winning streak. Taking on a very physical Butler team in the nightcap, the Tigers dropped all three sets to the Grizzlies, 25-20, 25-23, and 27-25.
Smith contributed on the offensive end in the opening match, collecting a team-high five kills. Smith also posted three block assists and one solo block. On the defensive end the Tigers were once again led by Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, IA/Ottumwa), this week's Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Defensive Player of the Week. Salgado recorded 38 digs against the Raiders.
MCC picked up the intensity in the second match, challenging the Grizzlies on both ends of the court. Smith logged nine kills, once again pacing the Tigers. Sam Hinrichs (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny) and Reeba Box (Liscomb, IA/BCLUW) each posted seven kills. Salgado registered 40 digs against Butler, who have now won four of their last five matches, including a 3-2 victory over Casper College in its opening match of the invite.
Hinrichs picked up 16 assists and two service aces while Box added 21 digs. Sophomore Alyssa Whitmore tallied 20 digs.
MCC will resume play at the invite tomorrow morning, taking on McCook Community College at 11:00 AM. The Tigers will wrap up play in Columbus with a 3:00 PM match against host Central Community College.
