Photo credit: Paige Wilcox
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University men's volleyball team opened College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play with a 3-1 win over the Millikin University Big Blue (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21). This win was important, as it represented one of the first-ever conference-sponsored men's volleyball matches.
The Vikings were slow to start their first CCIW match of the season, as Millikin outhit North Park .225 to .091 in the first set. Though competitive, the Big Blue took the night's opening set 25-22.
North Park bounced back in the second set, powered by a .344 hitting percentage and 13 kills. Despite the significant uptick in accuracy, the Big Blue still forced the Vikings' hand with a 21-21 tie. However, three-straight attacking errors from the Big Blue and an exclamation point kill from junior outside hitter Frank Mauigoa put the set away, 25-23.
The Vikings followed up their second-set performance with solid 25-17 and 25-21 wins in the third and fourth sets, respectively. Carrying a .203 hitting percentage as a team alongside 10 blocks, North Park topped Millikin 3-1.
FINAL: North Park 3, Millikin 1 (22-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21)
Quick Hits:
- Mauigoa drove a career-high 17 kills while marking a career second-best 17 digs
- Mauigoa's .364 hitting percentage is the best a Viking has hit all season
- Sophomore setter Moises Zavala saw career highs in kills (9), points (12), and blocks (4)
- Freshman rightside hitter Johnny Euler set a career-high six blocks in the win
What's Next?
North Park (3-7, 1-0 CCIW) continues conference play at North Central this coming Thursday, February 20. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
