By Todd Moore - bartonsports.com
The Barton Community College volleyball team opened its 2022 season impressively this weekend in Rockford, Illinois, in taking all four matches of the Classic.
On Friday the Cougars had a great start to the new season with a sweep over Lake Land College 25-13, 25-8, and 25-20. Following a short rest the Cougars then took on Division II No. 7 ranked Heartland Community College, winning the first two sets 27-25 and 25-23 but dropping the third 25-20 before bouncing back dispatching the Hawks 25-20.
Saturday's matches included a pair of sweeps, the morning victory coming over Williston State College 25-21 and a pair of 25-15 set scores with the afternoon's weekend wrap-up coming over Rend Lake College 25-18, 25-20, and 25-23.
Barton's next matches are in Norfolk, Nebraska, beginning Thursday with a 6:00 p.m. match at Northeast Community College before a pair of Friday matches in Northeast's Classic. On Friday, the Cougars will have Division II No. 8 ranked Kirkwood Community College at 12:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. match versus Central Community College.
The start to the season produced a .234 attack in Friday's action as the Cougar defense put up 19 blocks and served up 12 aces.