CHICAGO, Ill. -- In a clash of College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) contenders, No. 8-ranked Illinois Wesleyan flexed its national pedigree with a 3-0 sweep over North Park.
The Vikings (15-3, 2-1 CCIW) clawed back from multiple deficits in the opening frame. Down 8-6, North Park rattled off a 4-1 run behind a service ace from senior libero Carolina Aviles and a block by senior middle blocker Riana Hayes and junior setter Kendal Britton to tie it at 8-8. Later, trailing 13-11, the Vikings surged again with kills from fifth-year middle blocker Kharlie Simeona-French and Hayes to knot it at 16-16. But IWU's depth and poise showed late, closing the set on a 9-2 run fueled by Eleanor Palmer and Alex Bardouniotis.
Set two saw IWU (14-1, 3-0 CCIW) jump out to a 6-2 lead, prompting an early North Park timeout. The Vikings responded with a 5-2 burst, highlighted by sophomore middle blocker Ivy Newville's service ace and back-to-back kills from sophomore outside hitter Payton Smith. A 4-0 IWU run midway through the set, however, proved decisive.
The third set mirrored the first: IWU built a 13-7 cushion, but North Park again battled back. Senior outside hitter Shamyia Collier's late-set kills and Aviles' back-to-back aces cut the deficit to 23-17, but the Titans slammed the door with a kill from Hannah Tellor.
IWU hit a blistering .385 as a team, led by Bardouniotis (9 kills, .533) and Tellor (9 kills, .500). North Park was paced by Collier's 10 kills and Britton's 22 assists, but hit just .115 overall.
Top Players
Illinois Wesleyan
- Alex Bardouniotis - 9 kills (.533), 11 digs, 2 aces
- Hannah Tellor - 9 kills (.500), 9.5 points
- Eleanor Palmer - 7 kills (.667), 4 blocks
North Park
Record Book Note
Rothermel's four blocks in the match put her at 190 blocks for her career, moving her past Lauren Kruger (187) and Rihanna Huebner (188) into 8th place on the career blocks list at North Park.
What's Next?
North Park (15-3, 2-1 CCIW) steps out of conference play for a home match against Governors State University (5-16, 4-3 CCAC). First serve inside Carlson Gym against the Jaguars is set for 7:00 PM CT.
