By Marissa VanWingen

The Ellsworth Community College volleyball team opened the 2025 schedule on the road at No. 15 DMACC. While it was a 25-15, 25-22, 25-22 Bear sweep, there were positives ECC could take from the loss.

The first set was all DMACC. After an early Panther advantage at 8-5, the hosts took control and took a 9-8 lead and never trailed again. The Bears (5-1, 1-0) scored six in a row to pull away and eventually win the set by 10.

Game two was close from the opening serve. After six ties, ECC (0-1, 0-1) came out on top after every point. Knotted at 15, the visitors recorded a block by Anthea Deweer to lead 16-15. The Bears evened the set again and took their second lead of the game at 17-16. There were four more even scores with an ace by Madi Hughston and a Juliana Nunez kill made it 21-20. That would be the final Panther advantage. DMACC would record an ace serve and score three of the final four points to win it on a double hit (25-22).

The deciding game saw six even scores. Even at 11-all, the hosts were called for a double hit to give ECC the lead. The Panthers then went on a run and built a 15-11 advantage that included two aces from Deweer. The difference remained five as Nunez recorded back-to-back kills. Down 19-14, the Bears made their run and with back-to-back points by Reagan Wheeler evened the set at 21-21. One of their five aces gave the 22-21 edge that they would not relinquish in the second 25-22 decision.

For more on ECC Athletics, click here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,2BYKXzIBgNf3bHNTFTHvQvU8icdUTsaw3RiL_zquolmlFnUsUY8bxaeRgsXEepPaU_G__WMb1hgVvzlKFNzZfOU1hgJsSSQ8F6a5DDHRdoftFiwn5m96&typo=1

DMACC 3, ECC 0 Wednesday at Boone

ECC: 15| 22| 22

DMACC: 25| 25| 25

ECC Stats: Kills: Juliana Nunez 10; Elsa Raga 9; Madi Hughston 4; Anthea Deweer 1. Assists: Vera Jojnacki 19; Camylle Le Meur 5; Adriana Tiedt 1; Hughston 1. Digs: Nunez 10; Hughston 10; Hojnacki 8; Tiedt 6; Raga 3; Deweer 2; Sydnee Kammrad 2.