CHICAGO, Ill. --
Moving over to the Helwig Recreation Center for the second NPU Tri-match of the season, the North Park women's volleyball team suffered 5-set losses to the University of Dubuque Spartans and the Kalamazoo College Hornets.
Match 1: 2-3 Loss to Dubuque
In the opening set, the Vikings marked the first five points of the match. This run included three service aces by junior middle blocker Niki Ahlstrand, and a kill by senior middle blocker Kelly Clinton.
However, the Spartans would not make it easy for the Vikings, tying the set up at 23 all.
Senior outside hitter Lauren Wiltsie would put the first set away on a pair of kills, set up by junior setter Kajsa Meyer.
Unfortunately, despite close 2nd and 4th set losses, the Vikings would drop the final set of the match 10-15, falling to the Spartans in five sets.
Quick Hits:
- Senior libero Mia Riccolo marked a match-best 31 digs
- Meyer tallied a season second-best 44 assists as well
- Ahlstrand and Clinton finished with 3 service aces apiece and Wiltsie marked 16 kills
Match 2: 2-3 Loss to Kalamazoo
The Vikings bounced back from their first match in a big way, winning the first and second sets.
In the second set, the North Park attack went on a 6-1 run to take a commanding 13-7 lead. They would hold on to this lead to close in on a 25-13 victory, marking their best set of the day.
Unfortunately, the Hornets would find their stride in the final three sets, winning 25-22, 27-25, and 15-12 to take the match in five sets.
Quick Hits:
- Clinton tallied a new season-best 19 kills
- Sophomore rightside hitter Kenzie Krueger tied a season-best 4 service aces
- Kajsa Meyer also topped her season-best assists total, marking 60 in the match
What's Next?
North Park (14-9, 2-3 CCIW) continues their nonconference stretch, traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the Carnegie Mellon Quad. The tournament takes place from Friday, October 9th through Saturday, October 20th. They will kick off the quad facing a familiar face in the Saint Mary's College (IN) Belles.
