WARRIORS BATTLE TO SPLIT ON FINAL DAY OF REIVER CLASSIC
August 21, 2026
Council Bluffs, IA – The No. 15 nationally ranked Indian Hills Volleyball squad wrapped up play at the Reiver Classic with two solid performances on Friday. The Warriors split their twinbill at the Reiver Arena, falling 3-2 to No. 3-ranked Northeastern Junior College (CO) before dropping Dodge City Community College (KS) 3-1 in the nightcap.
Indian Hills closes out the weekend with a 2-2 mark overall after splitting its two matches on Thursday to open up the new year.
The Warriors battled in the opener against perennial national contender Northeastern, falling in a five-set thriller 22-25, 25-27, 29-27, 25-22, and 14-16. Indian Hills responded with a four-set win over Dodge City, dropping the Conquistadors 13-25, 26-24, 25-23, and 25-13.
The opener saw Indian Hills battle back in a valiant effort after falling behind 2-0 to the Plainswomen. After evening the series at two sets apiece, the two sides traded blows in the final frame before Northeastern eventually fended off the Warriors for the nationally ranked victory.
The Warriors were led by an impressive offensive showing from freshman Alisha Perez (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/IMG Academy) who tallied 17 kills on 37 attempts for a .351 hitting percentage to go along with six total blocks. Sophomore Amelia Polojanska (Gizycko, Poland/X Liceum Ogólnokształcące Mistrzostwa Sportowego) added 14 kills on 42 attempts along with three service aces while fellow sophomore Ayan Ito (Tokyo, Japan/Fujimura) added 11 finishers for the Warriors.
Sophomore Maria Victoria De Mendoca (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil/Colegio Pinheiro Guimaraes) aided the defense with 19 digs while freshman Jovi Evans (Kalona, IA/Mid-Prairie) added 18 digs and Kanade Yamagishi (Osaka, Japan/Kochi Chuo) contributed 17 digs.
Sophomore Caroline Le Mao (Douarnenez, France/ESG) stood tall at the net with six total blocks, including two solo stops as the Warriors recorded 18 blocks as a squad.
Indian Hills rolled its momentum over to the finale with its four set win over Dodge City. Perez once again powered the offense with a team-high 14 kills along with 10 finishers from Ito. Perez added five blocks on the defensive front for the Warriors.
Yamagishi continued an impressive weekend with 22 digs.
Indian Hills will return to Ottumwa to make its home debut on Monday, August 24 as Des Moines Area Community College comes to town for a 6:00 PM nonconference matchup.
