Tribs split on opening day at nationals

ROCHESTER, Minnesota - The MCC volleyball team picked up an opening-round victory over Central Lakes before falling to Brookhaven in the semifinals on Day 1 of the NJCAA Division III national tournament on Friday.

Despite the loss, the sixth-seeded Tribunes (44-2) will still complete the season with the best finish in program history. Monroe will face top seed Madison College in the third/fourth place match at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Monroe-Madison match will be streamed live on NJCAA TV.

MCC opened up play by taking on third-seeded Central Lakes in the opening round. The Tribunes were the aggressors from the opening serve and cruised to a 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 victory.

Montana Vescovi had a double-double with 15 assists and 10 digs, and Rose Ayala chipped in with 16 digs.

Monroe then moved on to the semi's where they faced perennial power Brookhaven. The Tribunes took the first set 25-19, but the Bears rebounded to win the next three sets, 25-21, 25-18, 25-12 to advance.

Brookhaven will play host Rochester Community and Technical College for the title Saturday afternoon.

Vescovi finished with 37 assists and 17 dogs and Dayle Taber added 16 kills and 10 digs. Chelsey Luce also had 16 kills and Rachael Nicholls chipped in with 24 digs.