Thief River Falls, Minn. - The Northland Community & Technical College volleyball team made short work of Rainy River in the opening round of the 2021 Pioneer Classic but came up short in the championship match against Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.)

The win over Rainy River was Northland's third this year, with the Pioneers claiming Saturday's non-conference matchup 25-21, 25-14, 25-19. Northland hitter Madison Witte came close to a double-double with 15 kills and nine digs. Also in double figures for the Pioneers were Chloe Kuznia with 27 assists, nine kills and seven digs; Cassidy Corbett, 13 digs; and Kylie Solheim, 11 digs. 

Everything that went right in match number one seemed to go wrong for the Pioneers in match number two. The Ladyjacks claimed the first two sets by scores of 25-12 and 25-17, before dominating the third set 25-7. 

Big Match Wednesday

Northland hosts Vermilion Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in a key MCAC Northern Division match. The Pioneers (7-4 conference, 9-10 overall) are already guaranteed a spot in the four-team NJCAA Region 13 Tournament but a win Wednesday night over Vermilion (6-4 conference, 8-5 overall) will clinch the number two seed for the Pioneers. 

Central Lakes leads the MCAC North with a 10-0 conference record and 17-9 mark overall. Northland is second at 7-4, 9-10; Vermilion (6-4, 8-5) and Hibbing (6-4, 6-8) are tied for third; and Mesabi Range (4-6, 5-14) is on the outside looking in entering the final week of conference play. 

Northland 3, Rainy River 0

• Scores - 25-21, 25-14, 25-19
• Assists - Chloe Kuznia 27, Kylie Solheim 1, Libby Johnson 1, Madison Paulson 1. 
• Kills - Madison Witte 15, Chloe Kuznia 9, Vivian Coan 5, Madison Paulson 4, Cassidy Corbett 3, Katelynn Nordine 1, Rylee Ellefson 1, Libby Johnson 1. 
• Service Aces - Cassidy Corbett 3, Madison Witte 2, Madison Paulson 1. 
• Blocks (Solo-Assist) - Madison Witte 0-1, Rylee Elleffson 0-1. 
• Digs - Cassidy Corbett 13, Kylee Solheim 11, Madison Witte 9, Chloe Kuznia 7, Vivian Coan 5, Katelynn Nordine 4, Haven Beckett 4, Libby Johnson 4.

Dakota College at Bottineau 3, Northland 0

• Scores - DCB wins 25-12, 25-17, 25-7. 
• Assists - Chloe Kuznia 13, Libby Johnson 1. 
• Kills - Madison Witte 6, Chloe Kuznia 4, Vivian Coan 3, Libby Johnson 2, Madision Paulson 2, Katelynn Nordine 1. 
• Service Aces - Vivian Coan 1. 
• Blocks (Solo-Assist) - N/A
• Digs - Kylie Solheim 12, Vivian Coan 8, Cassidy Corbett 6, Chloe Kuznia 5, Madison Witte 4, Haven Beckett 3, Rylee Ellefson 1, Libby Johnson 1.