Moraine Valley volleyball places 10th at nationals, eliminates Carl Sandburg

CHARLESTON, WV - The two Region IV representatives at the 2018 NJCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championships found themselves on opposite sides of net with their season's on the line. Moraine Valley Community College won that consolation matchup to end the season of Carl Sandburg College, however, the Cyclones eventually fell in the ninth place match to close out their 2018 campaign.

Moraine Valley was awarded the tournament's #13 seed and opened with a four-set loss to fourth-seeded South Mountain Community College (AZ) to set up the matchup with the Chargers. The two rivals played to a tight finish with MVCC claiming a five-set victory by a 15-13 final in the decisive set. Moraine Valley made it two wins in a row when they also won a 15-13 fifth set over ninth-seeded North Dakota SCS to reach the 9th Place match. Unfortunately, the Cyclones went down in three-straight sets to tenth-seeded Catawba Valley Community College (NC). The loss gave MVCC a final record of 31-8.

Freshman setter/right side hitter Noelle Knezz was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team after posting 52 kills and 13 blocks in the four games.

Carl Sandburg College began tournament play as the #12 seed and lost their opener to fifth-seeded Kirkwood Community College (IA). The Chargers then fell to Moraine Valley in five despite owning a two-sets-to-none lead to cap a 26-19 season. 

Results

#5 Kirkwood Community College 3, #12 Carl Sandburg College 0
25-14, 25-18, 25-13

#4 South Mountain Community College 4, #13 Moraine Valley Community College 1
25-20, 25-22, 24-26, 25-14

#13 Moraine Valley Community College 3, #12 Carl Sandburg College 2
18-25, 20-25, 25-18, 25-13, 15-13

#13 Moraine Valley Community College 3, #9 North Dakota SCS 2
25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 14-25, 15-13

#10 Catawba Valley Community College 3, #13 Moraine Valley Community College 0
25-23, 25-22, 25-20