SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The sixth-ranked Harper College volleyball team took its annual trip down to Springfield for the Lincoln Land Invitational over the weekend. The Hawks (26-11) played well and won three of their four matches.

Harper vs. Kankakee Community College

In its first match of the weekend, Harper prevailed in three sets over the Kankakee Cavaliers, 25-13, 25-20, 25-16.

Outside hitter Shannon Igielski (Streamwood, Ill/St. Edward) came alive on the offensive end, putting down a team-best 10 kills in the match. Libero Meghan Chartier (Inverness, Ill./Buffalo Grove) was strong in the service game, going 20-of-21 with four aces. Chartier also added 11 digs.

Kayla Mayer (/Wauconda) also shined in the service game and on the defensive end. Mayer was a perfect 11-of-11 serving with two aces and collected a team-best 18 digs. The offense was greatly helped by Katelyn Sommers (/Buffalo Grove), who dished out 26 assists. Sommers added 11 digs for a double-double.

Harper vs. Kishwaukee College

The last time these teams met on Sept. 25 at the Harper College Tri-Match, the Kishwaukee Kougars prevailed in straight sets. This time around, the Hawks got the best of their opponents, pulling out a four-set win, 25-15, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21.

Second-year middle hitter Daniele Sortino (Elk Grove Village, Ill. /Elk Grove) led a balanced offensive attack with eight kills and added four blocks. Mayer played another great defensive match with a career-high 29 digs. Hannah Moore (/Schaumburg) also excelled on defense with 16 digs. Sommers once again guided the offense with 34 assists

"I am very proud of our team tonight," said Harper head coach Bob Vilsoet. "We played consistently well in both of our wins against quality opponents this afternoon and evening."

Harper vs. East Central College

In Saturday morning's first match against the East Central Falcons, Harper played very well and won in three sets, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.

"This was a very satisfying win. East Central proved to be a very worthy opponent," Vilsoet said. "We played very well, which gives us confidence that we do indeed have the ability to turn it on and play at a higher level."

Second-year middle hitter Adriana Loiacono (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) blasted a team-best 11 kills, and Igielski and Sortino each put down eight kills. Sommers continued to show her versatility with another double-double of 15 digs and 31 assists.

Sortino served a strong match with three aces on a perfect 14-of-14 serving. As a team, the Hawks collected 99 digs, led by 30 from Chartier.

Harper vs. John A. Logan College

In a hard-fought match that came down to the fifth set, the Hawks fell to the Volunteers, 13-25, 26-24, 18-25, 25-20, 9-15.

Loiacono and Berggren packed the power on the offensive end in this match, as each player had 11 kills. Sortino had a productive match serving, going 13-of-14 with two aces. She also added 2.5 blocks.

Sommers handed out an incredible 46 assists to go with 16 digs. Chartier (30 digs) and Mayer (25 digs) both contributed in a big way to the team's 105 digs.

"Credit needs to go to John A. Logan on this five-set win for them," Vilsoet said.

Up Next

Harper returns to N4C play on Tuesday and Thursday of this upcoming week. The Hawks play on the road Tuesday at College of DuPage and host fourth-ranked Rock Valley College on Thursday evening.