Rockford, IL - The RCTC Yellowjacekts got their season off in dramatic fashin at the OWT Invite this past weekend.  RCTC kicked off the year with a 5-set win over #1 ranked College of DuPage.  RCTC ended up 2-2 on the weekend as the Jackets feel infour close sets to Harper College, before splitting their matches on day two against Triton and Lake Michigan College.

In the opening match of the year, RCTC downed #1 ranked College of Dupage 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 15-11).  The Jackets got 14 kills from freshman, OH Kyla SMith and 10 from sophomore Kylie Smidt.  Freshman Sydney Kleist lead the way with 35 assists to go along with a pair of service aces.  Smidt added 6 aces as the Jackets had 14 total. Freshman Mia McGuire paced the Jackets with 5 blocks, while Smidt had 18 digs.  Samantha Matarelli and Joeryn Freit each hit the double figure mark with 10 digs in the match.  

The second match of the day saw the Jackets play another tight match, this time against Harper College.  RCTC fell in four close sets (26-24, 22-25, 18-25, 23-25).  SMidt lead the way with 12 kills while Smith picked up 10.  Ella Landsteiner had 4 blocks to lead the Jacket defense, while Smith picked up 16 digs and Smidt added 13.  Sydney Kleist dished out 29 assists in the loss.

Day two started with a Jacket sweep over Trion College, 25-13, 25-10, 25-11.  Kylie Smidt once again hity douvble-figures with 10 kills and 15 digs.  Joeryn Freit also had 15 digs, while Kyla Smith added 12.  Mia Mcguire and Smith each had 5 kills.  In the final match of the tournament the Jackets fell 3-0 to Lake ichigan College (1-25, 18-25, 18-25).  Kyla SMith paced the Jackets with 10 kills  while Sam Materelli had 20 digs.  Sydney Kleist picked up 16 assists in the loss.

RCTC will now play Wednesday, September 23rd at the Iowa Lakes triangular.