CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's volleyball team defeated Governors State University, 3-1, before falling to Alma College 3-1, at the North Park Gym on Saturday evening.

First Match: North Park 3, Governors State 1

In the first set, the Vikings jumped on the Jaguars scoring six of the first 10 points to lead 6-4.  With the score 7-6 Vikings, the Vikings scored five-straight points, highlighted by two service aces from freshman Kailyn Mathews.  After the Jaguars scored six-straight points, a kill by junior Kenzie Krueger stifled the GSU run. With the score 16-12 NPU, the Jaguars scored six of the next seven points to take a one-point lead.  However, the Vikings would prevail at the end to defeat the Jaguars, 25-23, in the first set.  

First Set: North Park 25, Governors State 23

In the second set, the Vikings scored six of the first 10 points once more. With the score at 13-11 Vikings, North Park rattled off four-straight points spotlighted by two kills from senior Niki Ahlstrand.  After the Jaguars pulled within three, the Vikings struck back with a couple of points to go up 19-14.  However, the Jaguars held the Vikings to just two more points and won the second set, 25-21. 

Second Set: Governors State 25, North Park 21

In the third set, the Vikings and Jaguars traded the first 10 points.  At 10-7 NPU, the Jaguars took the lead with eight-straight points.  The Vikings would counter with three-straight points of their own.  In this back-and-forth third set the Jaguars were leading 23-21 until the Vikings saw kills by sophomore Kate Widman and Ahlstrand to take the all-important third set 25-23.  

Third Set: North Park 25, Governors State 23

In the fourth set, North Park scored the first seven points, setting the tone for the rest of the set all the way to a 24-12 lead. After the Jaguars scored five points, a kill by freshman Jewel Schroeder lifted the Vikings over the Jaguars, 25-17, to earn the win.

Fourth Set: North Park 25, Governors State 17

Second Match: Alma 3, North Park 1

In the first set, the Scots scored six of the first 10 points.  After three-straight points for the Vikings, North Park took the lead at 7-6.  After two-straight points by Alma, the Vikings notched four in a row to go up 12-8.  That would be the final lead the Vikings held in the first set as the Scots came back to win 25-19.

First Set: Alma 25, North Park 19

In the second set, the Scots scored seven of the first 12 points to grasp a 7-5 lead. However, the Vikings took their first lead at 16-15 on a kill by junior Louie Peralta.  The Vikings kept the lead at 20-17, however could only muster three more points and fell in the second set 23-25 in this back-and-forth second set.   

Second Set: Alma 25, North Park 23

In the third set, the Vikings scored six of the first 10 points. North Park kept the lead until Alma came back to earn a 16-15 lead. In this seesaw set, the Vikings took a four-point lead at 23-19 after two kills by freshman Kailyn Matthews.  The Scots got within one point at 23-22, but the Vikings held on for a third-set win.  

Third Set: North Park 25, Alma 22

In the would-be final set of the Tri, the Vikings and Scots traded the first 10 points. With the score 13-8 in favor of Alma, the Vikings scored three consecutive points to come within two points. The Vikings clawed their way back, even leading at 25-24. However, after an Alma timeout, the Vikings could not amass another point as the Scots defeated the Vikings, 27-25, to take the match.  

Fourth Set: Alma 27, North Park 25

Quick Hits

• Freshman Christina Gatta's 65 service aces mark a new single-season program best
• Junior libero Bianca Tomuta set a new career-high with 41 digs against Alma
• Mathews totaled 21 kills in the two matches
• Krueger's 11 kills against Alma ties a career-high
• Ahlstrand totaled 14 kills against Governors State
• Senior Kajsa Meyer racked up 76 assists in two matches

What's Next? 

The Vikings (10-15, 0-5 CCIW) step back into CCIW play on Wednesday, October 23, traveling to Decatur, Ill. to face the Millikin University Big Blue.  The match starts at 7 p.m.

--NPU--