By Marissa VanWingen

Ellsworth Community College went 3-1 at the Lincoln Land Tournament, opening with a loss to Parkland Community College before bouncing back for a five set win over Labette Community College, three-set sweep of Rend Lake College and a four-game win over the hosts – Lincoln Land Community College.

The Panthers were without their regular setter, Vera Hojnacki, on Friday and it showed – especially in the first match against Parkland. ECC struggled offensively with just 19 kills and 19 errors. In the first two sets, the Panthers were negative hitting and finished with a kill efficiency of .000. Madi Hughston led with seven kills and 11 digs. Aubrey Johnson (6) and Juliana Nunez (7) led in assists.

The second match on Friday was not an easy win by any means for ECC. The Panthers took a 2-0 lead with wins of 25-22 and 25-12 before Labette Community College won the next two 25-23, 25-15. Set five was also extended with ECC earning the hard fought 19-17 final. The offense finished with 56 kills. Defensively, they finished with 58 digs and five blocks. Serving, they tallied 10 aces. Leading the hitters was Nunez with 12. Camylle Le Meur led the defense with 21 digs while Giovanna Marins had three solo blocks.

Day two was much better for the Panthers as they picked up a pair of wins including a three set sweep of Rend Lake College (25-13, 25-13, 25-23) and a 3-1 win over the hosts, Lincoln Land. ECC won the first set 25-20 before the Loggers won game two 25-23. The Panthers then stole all the momentum for a 25-12 and 25-21 final.

For more on ECC Athletics, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,qfuj02qTO2iIEjcM0BiRR0ei0iidWJfUlyKebU_djjcrCMLgOo5eSKRvO0LKJ65TJEV4XMDaNzp4dsZCExKdiQ7gOWAzcxzb1vbQvX3HmcpXFCFzwnum&typo=1

Lincoln Land Tournament
Friday and Saturday at Springfield, Ill.

ECC: lost to Parkland Community College 25-17, 25-9, 25-20; def. Labette Community College 25-22, 25-12, 23-25, 15-25, 19-17; def. Rend Lake College 25-13, 25-13, 25-23; def. Lincoln Land Community College 25-20, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21.

ECC Stats (Does not include two matches):

Kills: Madi Hughston 18; Juliana Nunez 15; Adriana Tiedt 14; Giovanna Marins 13; Elsa Raga 10; Sydnee Kammrad 5.
Assists: Nunez 33; Aubrey Johnson 21; Camylle Le Meur 7; Hughston 2; Marins 2; Lauren Mauk 1; Raga 1; Sydnee Kammrad 1.
Digs: Le Meur 29; Tiedt 22; Hughston 16; Nunez 15; Johnson 8; Mauk 7; Marins 5; Raga 2; Anthea Deweer 1; Kammrad 1.
Blocks: Marins 3.5; Kammrad 1.5; Raga 1.5; Nunez .5.
Aces: Tiedt 3; Nunez 3; Hughston 2; Le Meur 1; Johnson 1; Marins 1.