Palatine, IL— A five-set victory by the Marshalltown Community College women's volleyball team over Harper College, ranked No. 6 in the latest NJCAA Division III rankings, was the highlight of the weekend as the Tigers went 2-2 at the Harper College Invitational.

MCC (10-11) opened up the invite on Friday with a loss to NJCAA Division II No. 9 Lincoln Land in straight sets, 25-19, 25-10, and 29-27. Meghann Cole (Des Moines, IA/West Des Moines Valley) helped the Tigers make things interesting in the last set and finished the match against the Loggers with 10 kills.

The Tigers picked up their first win of the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Illinois Valley. After dropping the first set 25-23, MCC rattled off three straight wins, 25-21, 27-25, and 25-16 to pull even on the day. The defense was the key to the victory as Ashley Salgado (Ottumwa, IA/Ottumwa) racked up 42 digs and Reeba Box (Liscomb, IA/BCLUW) added 24. Box also tallied 12 kills. Miranda Smith (Albion, IA/Marshalltown) totaled 11 kills and three blocks. Rusty Henio (Tama, IA/Pine Hill) provided a spark off the bench with five kills.

On Saturday, MCC took on NJCAA Division III No. 1 ranked Madison College in the opening match. The Wolfpack shut out the Tigers in three sets, 25-17, 25-17, and 25-19.

MCC saved its top performance of the weekend for its final match against tournament host Harper College. Both sides traded sets to open with the Hawks winning game one 26-24 and the Tigers responded with a 25-18 game two victory. MCC won the third set 25-23 before dropping the fourth game 25-23. MCC was able to close out Harper 15-10 in the fifth and final set.

MCC's tough schedule continues this week as the Tigers host Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) foe Kirkwood Community College, ranking No. 7 in the NJCAA Division II poll. The two teams will square off at 7:00 PM on Sept. 24.

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