Cyclones VB open with 4 wins in SCTCC Tourney

The St Cloud Technical and Community College Cyclones went 4-0 in their season opening volleyball tournament this weekend against Mesabi Range College, Dakota County Technical College, Dakota College Bottineau and North Iowa Area Community College. 

The Cyclones comprised an impressive 13.21 kills per set with sophomore, outside hitter, Amazih Eickhoff from Albany, leading with 39 kills closely followed by Cierra Washington, sophomore outside hitter from St Cloud Tech HS with 38 kills.  Sadie Hukriede , sophomore rightside hitter from Paynesville, earned 32 kills and Lauren Gillson first year middle from St Cloud Christian, closed the tournament with 29 kills and an outstanding .450 hitting percentage. 

 The Cyclones played tremendous defense with a total of 399 digs on the weekend, 28.5 digs per set.  Cierra Washington topped the Cyclones with 94 digs, seconded by first year, defensive specialist from Big Lake, Payton Thompson.  Amazih Eickhoff followed with 70 digs.

The Cyclones earned 20 blocks at the net, Lauren Gillson leading with 7.5. Eickhoff led in aces with 10 and Maija Erzar, sophomore setter from Deer River, led the offense with 141 set assists, 10.1 per set. 

The Cyclones had a great weekend with many highlights including losing only one set to the three NJCAA Division II teams they competed against.  In their first weekend of play the 2015 Cyclones already broke 4 SCTCC Volleyball records including Lauren Gillson earning the best single match hitting percentage against Mesabi with a .625.  Payton Thompson earned the most digs per set with 9 and the team hit a record hitting percentage of .340 against Dakota College Bottineau. 

"I am very excited to see what we are capable of this season.  We have deep talent and amazing returners that are dedicated and focused.  It has been a fun preseason and we look forward to challenges ahead," says head coach Heidi Smith in her 5^th season.

The Cyclones play their next matches on Wednesday, August 26^th at 5:30 against CLC and 7pm against NDSCS at the Whitney Center.