After a quick three sets to none win on Thursday, Aug. 22, against Elgin Community College the WolfPack found themselves in a tough situation at the McHenry County College Invite on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24. 

The WolfPack went 0-4 at the McHenry invite.    

“The invite was a great learning experience for us.  It gave us a chance to see how other teams set their plays up, and to see a change in pace,” said Lindsey Swansby, one of the team’s co-coaches.

On Friday, Aug.23, against Muskegon Community College the WolfPack lost a tightly matched game 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17) The WolfPack were led by freshman Amelia Walton with 5 kills, and 2 blocks. 

In the second game of the day the WolfPack were looking to bounce back after the close loss.

Playing against North Iowa Area Community College the WolfPack lost another close match losing 1-3 (25-22, 25-21, 26-24, 25-18) The WolfPack were led by sophomore Cathleen Flannery hitting an astonishing .917% with 12 kills. 

Day two of the invite started out with Madison College playing against last year’s DII national runners up Parkland College.  The WolfPack lost 3-0 (25-16, 25-7, 25-10) The WolfPack were led by Freshman Sidni Walgurski and Flannery both with 4 kills.

The final game of the invite for Madison College was against Carl Sandburg College.  This was the first ever meeting for the two colleges.  Madison College was not able to come with their first win of the invite losing 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-18).

The back court came alive with three players in double-digits digs. Flannery led the team in digs with 15, sophomore Sage Esser had 12 digs and Walton was close behind Esser with 11.  The WolfPack kills were led by sophomore Samantha Kessenich with seven, Flannery was close behind with five. Flannery also led the team in aces with two. 

Just three days after the McHenry County College invite the WolfPack were looking to get back to their winning ways.  That is just what the WolfPack did against Oakton Community College.  The WolfPack won 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-19). 

After a close first match the WolfPack then settled down to pull two straight set wins.  The WolfPack had a trio of players with five or more kills, Flannery lead the team with seven, freshman Calla Borchert had six, sophomore Olivia Marron also had six kills.  Borchert also had four blocks to lead the team.  Esser tracked down 11 digs to lead the team, this is the third time Esser has had double-digit digs in the young season. 

The WolfPack open up the N4C conference against rival Harper College on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Madison at 6 p.m.  A day later the WolfPack will be at the College of DuPage Chaparral invite in Glen Ellyn IL for another weekend invite on Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday Aug. 31.