(Rockford, IL) -  Waubonsee Community College's Women's Volleyball squad opened their 2021 Fall season by going 3-3 over the weekend at the McHenry County College Invite. The three-day round robin tournament was played at the UW Health Sports Factory facility in Rockford and featured 49 junior colleges from eight different states, including 17 teams ranked in the NJCAA's Pre-season polls. Beginning on Friday, August 20 the Chiefs started the season with three straight losses before bouncing back to win their final three contests of the weekend. Waubonsee fell to eighth-ranked Kirkwood (IA) Community College 3-0 and Lake Land College from southern Illinois 3-1 on Friday. The Chiefs also lost 3-1 to third-ranked Iowa Central College on Saturday before responding with a solid 3-0 win over John A. Logan College. On Sunday Waubonsee knocked off a pair of Region IV foes, defeating South Suburban College 3-0 and Highland Community College 3-1.

Despite losing to Lake Land College in four games, the Chiefs were in each set. Returning All-American Olivia McPherson registered a dozen kills, 16 digs and a pair of serving aces. Anna Gonzalez also booked 12 kills, while Kiara McPherson tallied 32 assists and Evie Martin served up three aces. Against Iowa Central Martin led the way with 14 kills, three aces and 18 digs. Newcomer Jordan Weber chipped in with 12 kills and two solo blocks, Kiara McPherson had 40 assists, Olivia McPherson made 23 digs and Emalee Wiley contributed 21 digs.

In Waubonsee's second match on Saturday the Chiefs overpowered John A. Logan College behind a triple-headed attack. Olivia McPherson recorded 13 kills and three aces, while Weber and Martin each added 10 kills. Wiley finished with 17 digs and Kiara McPherson was credited with 29 assists. Steve Kish's Chiefs then finished the weekend strong by downing South Suburban in three straight games on Sunday. Weber paced Waubonsee with 11 kills and three solo blocks. Wiley finished with 17 digs, Martin had four aces, Kiara McPherson added 29 assists, with Olivia McPherson and Gonzalez contributed 16 digs and 15 digs, respectively. Waubonsee then held off Highland Community College in four games to even their record at 3-3. Olivia McPherson led the Chiefs with 18 kills and 25 digs, while Kiara McPherson registered 38 assists. Wiley contributed 19 digs, and Weber and Gonzalez each booked a pair of solo blocks.

Waubonsee will be in action again this next weekend when they travel to Perrysburg, Ohio to participate in the Owens Express Invite. The Chiefs are set to take on Macomb (MI) Community College on Friday, August 27 beginning at 10:45 a.m. (CST), followed by a 2:15 p.m. match against Grand Rapids (MI) Community College. The Chiefs are also scheduled to square off against Terra State (OH) College and Kellogg (MI) Community College on Saturday, and battle Henry Ford (MI) College and the host school Owens (OH) Community College on Sunday.