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The North Idaho College volleyball team finished runner-up in the Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament on Sunday at Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash. In the back row, from left are Madilyn Harper, Lily Leidenfrost, Rylee Hartwig, Gracie Keisel, Abigail Beaton, Karolyne Wolfgramm, Rachael Stacey, assistant coach Melissa Fleshman and head coach Brittany Tilleman. In the front are Amelia Kinikini, Anna Ellingboe, Brooklyn Minden, Jessica Stires, Allie Hone, Hailey Hillman, Morgan Claus and Omayra Valle.
The North Idaho College volleyball team finished runner-up in the Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament on Sunday at Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash. In the back row, from left are Madilyn Harper, Lily Leidenfrost, Rylee Hartwig, Gracie Keisel, Abigail Beaton, Karolyne Wolfgramm, Rachael Stacey, assistant coach Melissa Fleshman and head coach Brittany Tilleman. In the front are Amelia Kinikini, Anna Ellingboe, Brooklyn Minden, Jessica Stires, Allie Hone, Hailey Hillman, Morgan Claus and Omayra Valle.
Posted: Nov 19, 2023

A special second ... Cardinals finish runner-up in NWAC volleyball tourney

Box Score
Game Leaders
North Idaho
K: Rachael Stacey - 11
B: 2 Players (#7, #12) - 2
D: Omayra Valle - 16
SA: 3 Players (#5, #12, #13) - 1
Linn-Benton
K: Brooklyn Willard - 19
B: Grace Boeder - 6
D: Kinsey Brelage - 25
SA: Meah Carley - 2
Team Stats
Full stats

LAKEWOOD, Wash. — First-year North Idaho College assistant coach Melissa Fleshman knew this team had something in them at the start of fall camp.

On Sunday, that special season fell a little short of the ultimate goal.

After winning the first set, NIC dropped the final three, falling to Linn-Benton 22-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-12 in the Northwest Athletic Conference Championship match at Pierce College.

NIC, with its only two losses of the season to Linn-Benton (36-0), finishes 32-2.

"We came out very excited and ready to play," first-year NIC coach Brittany Tilleman said. "After winning the first set, we almost got too comfortable against a team that's won three straight titles. It's been a while since we've been in that situation and I think they lost the belief that we could win. Linn-Benton knew what it takes to win, and they did. They just played great."

Linn-Benton beat NIC in a tournament at Columbia Basin College on Sept. 1. The Cardinals did not lose again until Sunday, winning 25 straight.

"After the match, I hugged each girl and told them you've got to be proud of the season we had," Tilleman said. "We played with so much trust and energy when we're on. Our practices help us compete for moments like this. It's always been us against us. To do it against a team like that, we just weren't prepared for that. Our season was a complete team effort and everyone involved. I'm sad to see the sophomores go, but I'm proud of them."

Rachael Stacey, a sophomore outside hitter from Helena, Mont., had 11 kills, sophomore Rylee Hartwig of Post Falls nine kills, sophomore Omayra Valle of Puerto Rico 16 digs and freshman Karolyne Wolfgramm 39 assists and 13 digs for NIC. Both Stacey and Hartwig were named to the all-tournament first team. Valle was a second-team pick.

"Since fall camp, we knew this team was different," Fleshman said. "It's sad we fell, but we knew this team was special and we could get here."

NIC will return to the NJCAA next fall as the school transitions back to the Scenic West Athletic Conference after departing after the 2014 season.

To view the full article, please visit the CDA Press at this link.