JANESVILLE — This past weekend, Blackhawk Technical College’s Talons Women’s Volleyball team competed in the Opening Weekend Tournament in Rockford. The Talons played four matches at UW Health Sports Factory, taking one win.

On Friday, the team lost to Edison State 15-25, 17-25 and 14-25. Talons Coach Brandy Salonga said, “Carly Castellano and Mikaela Hoffman kept the team going with kills and digs. All the girls played great this game keeping up with a solid team.”

The women also competed against Kellogg, losing 10-25, 16-25 and 8-25. Salonga said Jada Anderson stood out in libero covering tips and digging balls to keep the team in the game.

On Sunday, the Talons were the away team against the South Suburban College Bulldogs. The Talons left victorious 25-18, 25-16 and 25-20. “Carly really stepped up this game with amazing kills and sets,” Salonga said. “All the girls communicated and worked hard to win this.”

As the away team, the women also competed against Southwestern Iowa, which was a competitive match, but ultimately resulted in a loss with scores of 25-15, 18-25, 25-18, 15-25 and 7-15. “Abbi Kirwan was a monster in these matches, playing back row and getting digs up for our setters. Mikaela and Jada were also instrumental in covering for tips and digs,” said Salonga. “These girls worked their hardest in this phenomenal match of two amazing team.”

Next, the Talons will compete in multiple matches in the Tri-Match Tournament at Malcolm X College in Chicago this weekend, Aug. 29-30.

Visit athletics.blackhawk.edu/events for a full schedule.

The Talons Women’s Volleyball Team includes Jada Anderson, Oregon (Oregon High School); Carly Castellano, Beloit (Clinton High School); Cassie Cooley, Potosi (Potosi High School); Mikaela Hoffman, Belvidere, IL (Cathedral Baptist High School); Abbi Kirwan, Silver Lake (Wilmot High School); Katie Klassy, Janesville (Parkview High School); Shelbi Marx, Barneveld (Barneveld High School); Americus Pomplun, Beloit (Parkview High School).