East Peoria, Ill. - After an exciting four-set win over sixth-ranked Kirkwood earlier in the day, the ICC Volleyball team (20-10) kept the success rolling into their second match of the day, taking on Division-I Lake Land (11-11). It turned out to be a 3-0 sweep, with the Lakers keeping it interesting along the way. 

The opening set started off with more back-and-forth volleyball, with neither team taking a multiple-point lead until a kill from Summer Sheley made it 9-7. ICC went on a 7-2 run before the Lakers eventually reached double digits on a kill from the middle of the net. ICC held on from there, becoming the first team to 20 points when Hannah Alvey sent a kill through a Lake Land block to make it 20-12. Lake Land would only muster two points the remainder of the set. The Cougars would close it out on an ace from Brynn Rossman to cap the set at 25-14. 

Meanwhile, it was the Lakers that got off to a good start in the second set, scoring three of the set's first four points. The Cougars returned the favor, going on a 3-1 run of their own to tie it up at four points apiece. Once again, neither team seemed to have a grip on the lead until it was Sheley again that made it a three-point lead. An attack from Raquel Frakes was blocked out for an ICC point, putting them one point from another 2-0 set lead. This, however, would take a stronger finish, as the Lakers weren't surrendering the set without a fight, going on a 5-0 run to get within 24-19 and force coach Tracy Heffren to call a timeout. Lake Land would get an additional point out of the timeout. 24-20. Then Frakes was able to send an attack over that deflected off of a Lakers player and into the corner of Ramsey Gym for the kill and to end the set with a 25-20 score. 

More even volleyball was on the menu of the third set. ICC was the first one to take a sizable lead, when an attack error from Lake Land sailed towards the entrance to Ramsey Gym to give the Cougars a 16-9 lead and force a Lakers timeout to be called. Frakes was able to slip an attack just in front of the Lake Land libero for a Cougar point and a 20-17 lead. All of five points away from a sweep, the Lakers had another charge left in them, getting the set to 23-21 on an ICC attack error. Gracie Schultz found open floor in the middle for a kill to put ICC at match point, 24-21. The Cougars would go right back to the 6'2" freshman for another kill in the middle to wrap up the set and match on a 25-22 score. 

The sweep is ICC's 16th out of 20 wins on the season. It will be just a day off from matches before the drive down to the metro St. Louis area for a match with in-region foe Lewis & Clark on Monday afternoon. 

ICC Volleyball will be hosting a Pink Out for their next home match on Wednesday, October 13th. It is a key match in terms of Region 24 standings and the potential to host the postseason tournament, taking on ninth-ranked Heartland at 6:00pm. Fans are asked to dress in their pink attire for breast cancer awareness. We will have more details as we work closer to that match. 

Statistical Leaders vs. Lake Land
Cougars won, 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-22)
Kills | Hannah Alvey (13), Summer Sheley (10), Gracie Schultz (10)
Digs | Hope Allen (22)
Assists | Lacy Pilgrim (21), Brooke Ely (16)
Aces | Brynn Rossman (3)
Blocks | Ashlyn Mool (4)

Next Up:
ICC Cougars (20-10) 
@ Lewis & Clark Trailblazers (5-12)
River Bend Arena - Godfrey, Illinois
6:00 PM First Serve
Watch Live