KIRTLAND, Ohio – Iesha Niciu was a dominate hitter for Lakeland Community College volleyball with 15 kills as the Lakers swept visiting Lorain County Community College 3-0 by the score 25-12, 26-24 and 25-16.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 13-13 overall and 8-4 in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference. Lakeland has now won five of its last six matches.
Aside from her 15 kills, Niciu also added 13 blocks in the win. Cary Morin added 12 kills and nine digs. Caitlin Cipriano dished out 39 assists while Brittney O'Hara finished with 42 digs.
Lakeland and Lorain split the first eight points of the match but the Lakers eventually created a little distance in the first set. A kill from Niciu gave Lakeland a 10-5 lead. Behind the serve of Allie Lister, The Lakers jumped out to a 19-11 lead. Lorain only scored one more point for the remainder of the set and took the opener 25-12.
The second set was a bit closer but a kill from Krista Curtis gave the Lakers an 18-13 lead. Lakeland did let Lorain crawl back into the set as Lorain forced a tie at 24-24 but it was Lakeland winning the next two points to earn a third set victory at 26-24 after a kill from Niciu for a 2-0 lead in sets.
Lorain actually jumped out a 10-9 lead in the third set but Lakeland was able to tie the set up at 11-11 after a kill from Lauryn Mitchell. Cipriano served for three straight points for a 14-11 lead. From there, Lakeland not gave up control of the set as Curtis delivered the match-winning kill for a 25-16 victory to complete the sweep.
Lakeland will continue at home on Friday, Oct. 21 against Clark State Community College at 6 p.m.
For more information about Lakeland athletics, visit www.athletics.lakelandcc.edu.
About Lakeland Community College
Founded in 1967, Lakeland Community College was the first college in Ohio created by a vote of the people. True to our mission, Lakeland provides quality learning opportunities to meet the social and economic needs of the community.
Offering day, evening, weekend and online classes, the college serves more than 10,800 credit and 2,800 noncredit students (2016). For more information about the College, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.
