ESTHERVILLE - The Kirkwood women's volleyball team will be taking a trip to Arizona later this month, but it won't be for Thanksgiving vacation.

The 17th-ranked Eagles won the Region XI-B tournament in Estherville Saturday and qualified for the NJCAA Division II national tournament that will be held at Phoenix College from Nov. 19-21.

Kirkwood topped Iowa Central in five sets, 25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 15-6, on a neutral floor at Iowa Lakes Community College.

The Eagles needed five sets to defeat Southwestern Community College in the regional semifinals at home Wednesday night and they went the distance again Saturday against Iowa Central after taking a 2-0 lead.

Erin Wenzel led Kirkwood with 21 kills. Madsy Richards had 14 kills, Morgan Grimm 11, Alex Miner six, Erica Armstrong four and Halle Lueck four.

Lueck, one of the top assist artists in the country, collected 44 more in the regional finals. Jenna Laxton had three ace serves and Armstrong finished with six blocks.

The Eagles did a good job of digging the ball in the finals. Wenzel led a balanced attack with 20 digs, Laxton had 19, Richards 16, Lueck 16, Grimm 12 and Miner five.

Kirkwood will take a 28-15 record to the national tournament, which will feature 16 teams from around the country.

Kirkwood Coach Jill Williams will be taking the Eagles to the national tournament for the third time in 11 years as the head coach.