Picture credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's volleyball team went 2-1 in the annual Quad Tournament, beating Blackburn College and Manchester University 3-1 before falling to Mount St. Joseph University in straight sets.
Match One: North Park 3, Blackburn 1 (25-18, 21-25, 25-10, 25-22)
The Vikings were put on their heels in the first set of the day when Blackburn pulled out a 25-18 victory. The Vikings hit just .061 as a team with 10 errors in the set.
However, North Park responded with a 25-21 victory in set two and a dominant 25-10 victory in set three. During that third set, freshman Christina Gatta went on a tear. The setter from Chicago, Ill. led the charge of 14-straight points, racking up an astounding six service aces along the way.
North Park went on to take the fourth set, 25-22, earning their first win of the quad.
Quick Hits:
- The Vikings posted a new season-best 23 service aces, as Gatta totaled 10
- Freshman middle blocker Emily Nytko had a match-leading four blocks
- North Park held Blackburn to a -.010 hitting percentage
Match Two: North Park 3, Manchester 1 (27-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-18)
The Vikings and Spartans were nearly identical on the stat sheet for the second round of matches: both teams marked 45 kills, Manchester had one more assist than North Park (43-42), and North Park had one more dig (51-50).
However, the biggest discrepancy happened to be the biggest strength of the Vikings: service aces.
The Vikings tallied 10 service aces which, believe it or not, is on the low side for 2019's squad.
Quick Hits:
- Gatta had six service aces, leading the match
Match Three: North Park 0, Mount St. Joseph 3 (23-25, 23-25, 23-25)
The Vikings dropped three-straight sets in the final match of the day, all 23-25.
Despite out-hitting the Lions in every set, finishing with a .209 hitting percentage, the Vikings' usual assault of service aces cooled off.
Quick Hits:
- Clement led the Vikings with 24 kills
- Junior rightside hitter Kenzie Krueger had a match-leading four blocks
- Junior libero Bianca Tomuta had a match-leading 22 digs
What's Next?
North Park (5-3) will enjoy a week off before pursuing a long stretch of away matches, beginning with the University of Dubuque on Saturday, September 14. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at U-Chicago's Invite.
