East Peoria, Ill. - It was a dominant first two sets for the ICC Volleyball team (19-10) on Saturday afternoon, opening the tri-match against a quality sixth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles (19-9) team. It took a loss in the potential match-winning set, but the Cougars regrouped in the fourth set for a signature home win, 3-1. 

The Cougars were in control from the onset. They used an 8-2 run to start the match and force a Kirkwood timeout. It was moderately close from there, with ICC holding a 17-13 advantage the rest of the way to take a 25-15 first set. 

Now the second set took on a different dynamic, with the Cougars and Eagles engaging in a back-and-forth set. ICC maintained their control of either a tie or the lead, but never let the Eagles into it. They'd take set two 25-21 and have a commanding 2-0 set lead into the third. 

Perhaps a sign of what was to come in the third set, Kirkwood took their first lead of the set at 1-0. They kept ahold of that lead all the way up until 10-9. From their, it was once again a set in which no control was truly gained in the bigger picture. Yet after the Cougars had the Eagles backed up against the wall on match point, Kirkwood prevailed and took the third set, 26-24. 

ICC was able to return to a smooth-playing game in the fourth, holding onto momentum and taking a 25-16 win in the fourth set for the win. 

It is just ICC's second win against a ranked team on the season, following a five-set win over D3 #8-ranked Harper back on August 21st. 

The Cougars have a time slot off before playing D1 Lake Land at 5:00pm. 

Statistical Leaders vs. #6 Kirkwood
Cougars won, 3-1 (25-15, 25-21, 24-26, 25-16)
Kills | Hannah Alvey (16), Gracie Schultz (15), Raquel Frakes (11)
Digs | Hope Allen (27), Hannah Alvey (18), Brooke Ely (12)
Assists | Lacy Pilgrim (32), Brooke Ely (24)
Aces | Hope Allen (3)
Blocks | Gracie Schultz (3)

Gameday Information:
ICC Cougars (19-10)
vs. Lake Land Lakers (11-9)
Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium - East Peoria, Illinois
5:00 PM First Serve
Watch Live