The Cyclones opened their fall season at the McHenry County College Opening Weekend Tournament on Aug. 20 and 21, finishing with an overall 2-2 record.

To officially start their return to the court, the Cyclones took a 3-1 victory over Ellsworth Community College: 25-18, 18-25, 25-16, 25-16. Nicole Ramirez had a big afternoon with 10 kills and 36 assists while Abby Sarich added 12 kills and seven blocks. Takiyah Clark contributed six kills and four blocks while Julia Stefanon dug up 25 and Jaelyn Donald had 20 digs and eight kills.

In their second match on Aug. 20, Moraine Valley lost a tight 3-2 battle with North Iowa Area Community College (25-17, 18-25, 15-25, 25-13, 11-15). Sarich finished the day with 12 kills, Ramirez added 34 assists and Stefanon had 20 digs.

Action returned on Aug. 21 with a tough 3-0 loss to Parkland College (15-25, 18-25, 19-25). Sarich continued again with 12 kills and four blocks while Lily Saenz added 12 digs and Ramirez had 19 assists.

They finished out the tournament with a solid 3-0 win over Madison College: 25-16, 25-15, 25-20. Sarich finished the tournament with 16 kills and three blocks, Ramirez contributed 31 assists and four aces while Donald added eight kills.

This first long weekend demonstrated a promising start for the Cyclones, who have a good shot of doing some damage this season. They stayed in each match and battled through each set. They have their home opener against Olive-Harvey College on Tuesday, Aug. 24.