Kirkwood volleyball plays for 7th place at national tournament in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Although Kirkwood suffered a similar quarterfinal loss in the NJCAA volleyball tournament on Thursday night to the one they did last season, the Eagles responded differently in their first consolation match Friday afternoon.

“Last year we lost and the day after we couldn’t bring ourselves back,” said outside hitter Kamara Dickerson. “This time we held our heads high, knew we had another opportunity to win and we stayed positive.”

Fifth-seeded Sauk Valley (Ill.) defeated Kirkwood in straight sets, 25-23, 27-25, 25-22, but it wasn’t the same vibe last season.

“I think we played our hearts out,” Dickerson said. “We knew we were going to face tough competition. We played to our best ability and that’s all that really matters.”

A year ago, the Eagles fell to Gulf Coast State, 3-1, on day two before defeating Catawba Valley for seventh place on Saturday.

Saturday, Kirkwood (27-14) will face 10th-seeded Heartland (Ill.) (30-8) for seventh place at 12:30 p.m. inside the Alliant Energy PowerHouse, and the Eagles expect a third straight day of local support.

“It’s really nice to have that supportive atmosphere (at Kirkwood),” Dickerson said. “We support each other in all of the sports and I think that brings so much positivity to those on the court.”

That positive community is what continues to bring kids from all over the Midwest to the Kirkwood campus in hopes of hanging a national championship banner for the perennially-successful Eagles.

“I liked the environment that I saw on my visit,” Dickerson said. “It was the perfect distance from home, plus there is a lot to do here.”

Now Dickerson is ready to graduate in the spring after finishing up with four credit hours that includes a forensic science course.

“I know I want to study diseases and try to find cures and medication for it,” Dickerson said. “I’ll try to find a volleyball program, otherwise I’ll just focus on my work.”

Head coach Jill Williams will return seven players next season and graduate eight, including Dickerson. The Eagles will again be expected to compete for a berth in the national tournament, which would make five straight appearances for Kirkwood, Williams and her staff.