North Park opened the 2014 season at the Sugar Loaf Volleyball Classic, hosted by St. Mary's of Minnesota Friday and Saturday.

Although it wasn't what NP was hoping for in its season-opening tournament (the Vikings finished with an 0-4 record), there were still some solid individual performances during the two-day event.

Junior middle Hayley Brake led the Vikings' attack as she finished with 15 kills, averaging 1.25 kills per set. Sophomore Karina Partee followed with 12 total kills for a 1.08 average, and freshman Darby Switzer dished out 48 assists.

On the defensive side, a pair of Vikings finished with 30 or more digs as junior Alexis Clay topped out at 44 for the weekend while Sa'Vone Williams added 36 and Brittney Garcia 29.

North Park's closest set came against UW-La Crosse. The Vikings fell behind 10-6, but twice came back to tie the set at 13-13 after a service ace from Switzer and at 20-20 on a La Crosse hitting error, but the Eagles fought back with a 5-1 scoring run to finish out the set.

North Park returns to action next weekend when it hosts the annual North Park Clash Sept. 5-6. The Vikings open play Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Knox College.