North Park snapped its nine-match losing streak with a solid four-set victory over Rockford University at the Aurora Tri-Match Saturday.
Despite a loss to Aurora in the nightcap of the tri-match, it didn't overshadow the Vikings 25-19, 13-25, 25-13, 25-16 triumph over the Regents.
Led by a 12-kill performance from Kelly Clinton, North Park finished off the match with a .357 hitting percentage in the fourth set. NP overcame an 0-2 deficit and turned it into a 16-10 advantage after a service ace from Brittney Garcia and a Rockford hitting error. NP then extended their lead to 23-15 on a Clinton kill before ending the set and the match on two straight points from another Clinton kill and a Rockford hitting error.
The Vikings built as much as a 16-9 lead in the third set after they overcame a 19-19 tie in the first set by scoring the final six points and setting the tone for the rest of the match. Along with Clinton, Bethany Geidner finished with 10 kills while Reagan Clement returned to the lineup and had six kills. Defensively Sarah Hua Pham came up with 11 digs and Garcia added 10 while Kasja Meyer dished 22 assists.
Lauren Wiltsie threw down 12 kills and Mia Riccolo had 14 digs as NP fell to Aurora 13-25, 15-25, 20-25 in the final match. Katie Vondra led the Spartans with 16 kills.
North Park (6-16) returns to action Tuesday night when it hosts Elmhurst College for a 7 p.m. match.