Rockford, Ill. - The anticipation of a new season can be something else, especially if you're coming off a National Semifinal appearance like the fourth-ranked ICC Women's Volleyball team is in the fall of 2021. The season got underway at the UW Health Sports Factory in Rockford with a pair of high-quality matches, the season opener against #16 Des Moines Area, and a Semifinal rematch with #1 Johnson County.

The Cougars would ultimately drop both matches, although very close. Both matches saw the Cougars fight through all five sets, with the Bears (25-16, 21-25, 23-25, 25-20, 12-15) and Cavaliers (17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 14-16), respectively, taking the matches by 3-2 scores. 

#4 ICC has two more matches as part of the McHenry County Invitational on Saturday, August 21st, as they play Harper at 11:45am and Williston State at 3:15pm. 

Statistical Leaders vs. Des Moines Area:
Kills | Ashlyn Mool & Hannah Alvey (13 each)
Digs | Ashlyn Mool (17), Brynn Rossman (12)
Assists | Brooke Ely (25), Lacy Pilgrim (22)
Aces | Hannah Alvey (3)

Statistical Leaders vs. Johnson County:
Kills | Summer Sheley (12), Gracie Schultz (10)
Digs | Hope Allen (21), Ashlyn Mool (14), Lacy Pilgrim (11)
Assists | Lacy Pilgrim (27), Brooke Ely (17)