In a nail-biting match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Southwestern Community College volleyball team emerged victorious against Iowa Lakes Community College, securing a hard-fought win with a final score of 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 15-12). The teams clashed on the court in Esterville on August 30, 2023, in a matchup that showcased both tenacity and exceptional teamwork.

The Spartans showcased their prowess and determination throughout the game, capturing their first victory of the season and marking the first win for coaches Taylor Shipley and Parker Evans. The dynamic and closely contested match was a testament to the players' commitment and the coaching staff's guidance.

Head Coach Taylor Shipley expressed the significance of the win: "This was a pivotal match for us. It showed the girls what they are capable of when they put together all of the things we've been working on this season. Now, it's back to work on making smart plays, communicating, and keeping our energy consistent. We're going to fight for every point this season!"

Assistant Coach Parker Evans praised the team's resilience: "I think this game truly showed the amount of fight each of our players have inside of them. This was a game of mental hurdles and also letting the opposing team make all the errors. I'm proud of the way they played tonight! Only more good things to come for this season!"

Key performers for the Southwestern team included:

• Hallica Warren-Anderson: 3 Aces
• Gréta Petőfi: 4 Blocks
• Emily Strait: 17 Digs
• Samira Baade: 14 Kills
• Beatriz Goncalves: 22 Assists

Players weighed in on the intense matchup and the team's performance:

• Jayda Chew: "We fought through some adversity when we got down in the second and fourth sets, but coming back in the 5th set to win 15-12 showed a lot of fight and dedication as a team."
• Malori Leonard: "It was a great game, and I feel like this was an important energy boost we needed to start the season."
• Meredith Gettings: "Overall I think we played great and stayed aggressive!"
• Samira Baade: "I think today was a good game and we needed that game to grow mentally. We definitely have to play more consistent in the next games."
• Gréta Petőfi: "I'm extremely proud of the team because we managed to come back even stronger and finish out a 5-set game with a win. We all went home satisfied and proud."
• Beatriz Goncalves: "It was a good game, we had ups and lows but at the end we worked through the lows and we got the win."

The Southwestern Community College volleyball team will face off against Northeast Community College at home on September 6, building upon the momentum gained from this triumphant victory. Fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating another display of skill and determination from the team.