Comets sweep NIACC for first Region 11 win

Western Iowa Tech's offense recorded 39 kills -- its most for a three-set match -- as the Comets roared to their first-ever home and conference win.

The Comets beat North Iowa Area 25-18, 25-15, 25-18 Thursday night to notch their first Iowa Community College Athletic Conference win in program history. The Comets are now 4-8 overall and 1-1 in ICCAC play.

"We felt like this could be a big week, and a big game, for us," head coach Dante Frattini said. "We didn't go into the match saying we had to win, but we felt like we had to play our best game so far this season. We just wanted to be consistent and compete to the level we want to establish as our program standard.

"We did that and it turned into a pretty special night."

The Comets fought for early leads in all three sets, and were able to weather multiple runs by NIACC.

WIT led 18-13 in the third set but three errors -- two of which were unforced -- let the Trojans pull within two points at 18-16. 

"There were times earlier in the season when we'd have let doubt creep into our minds and we'd lose some of our fight after an opponent run," Frattini said. "But we stayed very tough tonight and instead of playing safe or scared, we maintained our aggression."

Freshman outside Jagoda Szczepaniak scored with a backrow kill and freshman Lotta Lischka followed with a three-point serving run that included an ace to give the Comets a 22-16 cushion.

Freshman setter Kaira Willits closed the night with an ace to get the Comets to match point, followed by an aggressive serve that forced the Trojans out of system and led to a ball-handling error.

"It was a sign of real growth, how we responded to their runs tonight," Frattini said. "And with a young team like this, it makes me so excited about our potential. We're three weeks in and have already taken a massive step forward."

Willits paced the offense with 33 assists, her most in a three-set match. Freshman outside Maya Augustine led a balanced Comets attack with 12 kills, one more than Szczepaniak 11 and four more than opposite Cooper Champoux's eight. 

Willits (10 digs), Augustine (13) and Szczepaniak (13) all recorded a double-double.

Freshman libero Eriza Tamez had 11 digs and led the team with four service aces.

WIT totaled 12 aces to just three receive errors.

Freshmen Sajai Jackson (5 kills) and Vienne Meszes (3) provided an offensive threat in the middle while presenting a disciplined block that led to controlled digs and strong transition opportunities.

Shantel Denetsosie scored two aces and recorded six digs as a defensive specialist.

"Everyone really thrived in their role tonight," Frattini said. "If we continue to take pride in our jobs and find ways to help our team -- whether in games or practice -- this program is going to be in great shape."

The Comets play two scrimmages Thursday afternoon at The Arena in Sioux City. a best-of-3 match against Morningside JV starts at 5 p.m., followed by another best-of-3 match against Dakota State JV.

WIT's next ICCAC match is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, against Southwestern Community College in the Robert E. Dunker Center.