The Kirkwood athletic season has started off strong with the volleyball amassing an early seven game winning streak. All but one game has been played in Illinois for non-conference matchups, many of which are ranked opponents. Making the Eagles flawless start even more impressive.
Eagles Weekly is a weekly article that summarizes all six of Kirkwood’s athletics. In these articles you can read summaries of each game, and which student-athletes have been shining the most. At the bottom of the article, two athletes are chosen for the “Eagles of the Week” honor which is given to the two Eagles who shined the brightest for that edition. Check the website every Monday for new Eagles Weekly articles.
Women’s Volleyball:
August 20
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. St. Johns River State College 1
The first game of a season, in any sport, is always filled with questions. Especially at the Junior College level where every year about half of the team is loaded with new faces. The first game is always trickier when you are playing a ranked team, and in this instance Kirkwood took on no. 11 St. Johns River State College. The Vikings took the first set, but the Eagles perused and won the next three. Outside hitter trio, sophomores Yasmine Sell and Carly Wazac and freshman Bri Clark finished with eight kills. Freshman setter Katie Scheckel led the team with 15 assists and 13 digs. Middle hitter Madalyn Boyer finished the matchup with a strong nine blocks.
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. Montgomery College (MD) 0
Coming off a strong win just an hour prior, Kirkwood was matched up against the Montgomery College Raptors. The first two sets were especially close, the Raptors stuck right with the Eagles. Ultimately Kirkwood ended up winning both sets, and easily winning the third 25-12. Clark led the team with 11 kills, with sophomore outside hitter Sydney Brandmeyer not far behind with 10. Sophomore setter Avery Knoop had an impressive 18 assists, while Scheckel had 17 herself.
August 21
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. Pensacola State College 1
A day after playing two games, Kirkwood was set to play another two. This time starting the day against no. eight Pensacola State College. Similar to their first game the day before, the Eagles came short in the first set. However, went on to win the next three. Wazac took control of the game and led Kirkwood with an astounding 15 kills while paired with seven blocks. Sophomore defensive specialists Abbie Staats and Gabbi Smith were impactful, finishing with 15 and 13 digs respectively.
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. Gulf Coast State College 2
This match would end up being the most challenging for the Eagles in the early season, as no. three Gulf Coast State College was the team that eliminated Kirkwood’s National Championship run last year. After the first four sets the two powerhouses were tied 2-2. Freshman standout Clark continued to show off a strong ability to rack up kills, as her 12 led the team and helped clinch the eventual win for Kirkwood. Scheckel amassed 19 assists, while Staats had 16 assists. Knoop had an impressive four service aces in the matchup.
August 26
Northwest Iowa Community College 0 at Kirkwood Community College 3
Kirkwood’s homeopener was deemed a good one, as they faced conference rival Northwest Iowa Community College. This match would end up being rather quick, as the Eagles swiftly took the first two sets against the Thunder, and would eventually have themselves a triumphant 25-5 third set victory, securing Kirkwood the sweep. Wazac shined in this effort, having herself 12 kills, twice as much as second place. Scheckel and Knoop were responsible for 36 of the 40 assists for the Eagles during the match. Staats led the team with 10 digs.
August 28
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. Kansas City Kansas Community College 0
After their first home game, the Eagles were right back on the road again and traveled to Illinois for another early season doubleheader. Game one was against no. four Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Kirkwood volleyball team saw that ranking and triumphantly swept the talented Blue Devils squad. Wazac and Clark combined for 25 kills. Scheckel put up another strong performance and had 23 assists through just three sets.
Kirkwood Community College 3 vs. Chattanooga State Community College 0
To close out the cluster of games, Kirkwood was set to play against Chattanooga State Community College. And once again, swept their opponents. This time in fairly easy fashion. The Tigers had a -.075 kill percentage (meaning they had more errors than kills), as opposed to the Eagles .325 kill percentage. Clark led the team with 11 kills. Boyer had another strong defensive performance and finished with 10 blocks.
Eagles of the Week
OH Carly Wazac: 7 M, 3.08 K/S, .355 PCT, 92.5 PTS, 1.16 B/S
After being a second-team All-American her freshman year, Wazac was due to make a jump her sophomore year. That is exactly what she has done through her first seven matches. She has increased her K/S, PCT and PTS/S in her small sample size so far this season. At this pace Wazac is bound to make another All-American selection, even making an argument for first team this year.
S Katie Scheckel: 7 M, 5.68 A/S, 1.77 D/S, 0.50 SA/S, 1.18 K/S
Scheckel was a two-time 4A Player of the Year as well as a first-team All-State honoree while in high school. So her college career came with a lot of hype. Right away this season Scheckel has filled in a role left by two-time first-team All-American Kaci Johnson. Scheckel is averaging a 5.68 A/S which is by far leading the Eagles. Her efforts and contributions on both defense and offense makes her one of the more valuable pieces on this talented Eagles roster.
Categories: Eagles Weekly, Sports
