Parkside 3, Illinois Springfield 0 (25-23, 25-9, 25-18)
Upper Iowa 3, Parkside 1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-12, 26-24)
The Parkside volleyball team opened the first day of the Hampton Inn Invitational with a pair of games against the Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars and the Upper Iowa Peacocks. The Rangers got to a hot start, sweeping the Peacocks in three straight sets. The Rangers struggled in the second match, allowing the Peacocks to come away with the win in four sets.

GAME 1 RECAP
The Rangers jumped out to an early 13-3 lead in the first set, with Jazmine Neal registering four kills in the rally. The Prairie Stars did not go down quietly, climbing back until they were down 24-23 late in the set. A kill from Lexi Packard put any chance of completing the comeback to rest as the Rangers took Set 1.
 
The Rangers dominated in Set 2, with Elizabeth Truckenbrod leading the way with four aces as the Rangers put away the Prairie Stars 25-9.
 
The Prairie Stars kept things close in the third set, leading 14-11 halfway through. Strong defense and a pair of aces from Alysha Brickl led to a five-point rally to give the Rangers a 16-14 lead. A few points later, the defense started another five-point rally which was capped off with kills from Reese Rossnagel and Lydia Biggin. The Rangers outscored the Prairie Stars 9-2 to close out the match and walk away with the win in their home opener
 
GAME 2 RECAP
The Rangers got off to a slow start in the opening set, allowing Upper Iowa to jump out to a 5-0 lead. A kill from Rossnagel stopped the rally and granted the Rangers a chance to dig out of the early hole they created. Neal earned four straight kills to help the Rangers get within two points of the Peacocks. The Peacocks rode another five-point rally to jump out to a 14-6 lead. The Rangers rallied back within two as they trailed 21-19. The Peacocks were able to pull away at the end with a four-point rally to beat the Rangers 25-19.
 
The Peacocks jumped out to another fast start in Set 2. The Rangers offense came alive and went on a 10-3 rally with Packard and Neal each getting two kills to lead the way. Holding a slim 13-12 lead, the Rangers pulled away with a 6-0 run lead by Packard and Biggin both offensively and defensively. The Rangers and Peacocks traded points until the Rangers came away with the win.
 
The Peacocks jumped out to an early 11-4 lead in Set 3. The Rangers battled back and were within four as they trailed 15-11. The Peacocks proceeded to go on a 10-1 run to close out the set.
 
The two teams battled it out in the fourth set, with neither team able to build a solid lead.  The match went to a 24-24 tie before a Peacock kill and a Rangers ball handling error allowed Upper Iowa to win the match 3-1.
 
HEAR FROM COACH BAREA
"First, it felt great to be back playing in De Simone Arena and in front of our fans again!
 
For the morning match, we played a very complete game and executed the game plan very well. In the evening match, we battled and gave ourselves great opportunities to be in the match. Although the result wasn't what we wanted, we are super proud of the adjustments and play we had from everyone.
 
We are excited to be back in De Simone Arena tomorrow vs Minnesota Crookston and McKendree."
 
NOTEWORTHY STATS
Neal led the way offensively, registering an impressive 32 kills on the day. Karlee Lois led the Rangers with 49 assists. Truckenbrod registered an impressive seven aces against Illinois Springfield. Lindsay Krznarich led the team with 12 blocks, while Truckenbrod led with 37 digs.
 
WHAT'S UP NEXT
The Rangers will finish off their home tournament tomorrow as they take on Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. and McKendree at 7 p.m. For more information, visit parksiderangers.com.