LLCC opened the day defeating Danville Area Community College 3-0. LLCC started sluggish against DACC with eight service errors in the first game, and forced to fight off game point four times before clawing out a victory.

"We were lucky to win that first game. We had too many unforced errors, and we talked about that each game. Errors allow the other team to determine the pace of the match and our success depends on us being able to call the shots," commented Coach Jim Dietz.

In the first game against Parkland, LLCC came close, with the spread never being more than two points until the final ball. The critical moment took place at 13-13 when a Parkland serve fell untouched for an ace between three Logger players. After that, Parkland never relinquished the lead. In the second game, the score remained tight until 17-17 when Parkland was able to go on a run, fueled by two big swings, as well as two balls that hit the net, rolled along it, and dropped on the wrong side of the court for Parkland points. Rather than give up, LLCC came back and dominated game three behind the hitting of Sammie Voils and Michaleen Forman while Kinzie Neilson hit well as well as the Loggers won 25-13. Unfortunately, game four saw Parkland catch Lincoln Land twice for runs of points, one with excellent blocking and hitting while the other was fueled by four consecutive LLCC errors, enough for Parkland to win the game 25-12 and take the match, securing the conference title with an 8-0 record. LLCC finished second in the conference at 6-2, the only losses being to national #2-ranked Parkland.

"We played well for three games. The first two could've gone either way. I told the girls that if we played at the top of our game and Parkland did, the games would be coin tosses. Unfortunately, we lost the first two. In the third game, we took advantage of Parkland errors for an easy win, and in the final game, they returned the favor. I would've liked a win, but we played well and improved on some things we've been working on. We have to continue that for this next week with our final region match against Southwestern Illinois and then the Iowa Central Tournament where we're going to run into several Top-20 teams--including Butler and DMACC, who'd like to avenge earlier losses to us this season."

Taylor Harper is now the career assist leader with 2,111, passing Krista Privia's 2,085 set during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Lincoln Land Community College is now 27-4. The Loggers will travel to Southwest Illinois College next Tuesday at 6 pm.

Saturday Stats
vs. Danville:
Digs: Hathcoat 25, Neilson 10
Aces: Ballinger 2, Amsden 2
Blocking: Forman 4, Corn 3
Assists: Harper 32
Kills: Forman 12, Voils 8

vs. Parkland:
Digs: Hathcoat 26, Amsden 11
Aces: 4 tied w/1
Blocks: Ballinger 2, Voils 2
Assists: Harper 42
Kills: Forman 12, Hamilton 11