CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University women's volleyball team delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, October 18, securing back-to-back victories at the Ratner Athletics Center. The Vikings first swept Denison University in straight sets before outlasting the University of Chicago in a thrilling five-set battle.
Match 1: North Park 3, Denison 0 (25-16, 25-22, 27-25)
North Park opened the day with a commanding sweep over Denison, leaning on quality serving runs from a variety of Vikings. Fifth-year middle blocker Kharlie Simeona-French led the charge with 8 kills, 14 digs, and 3 service aces, while junior middle blocker Meg Rothermel added 7 kills and a match-high 7 blocks. Junior setter Kendal Britton orchestrated the offense with 26 assists and chipped in 3 aces.
The Vikings out-blocked Denison 11-4 and served up 12 aces to Denison's 6. Senior outside hitter Shamyia Collier contributed 10 kills and 2 blocks while senior libero Carolina Aviles anchored the back row with 13 digs and 4 aces.
Rothermel's seven blocks against Denison ties the school record for most in a three-set match, set earlier this season by teammate Riana Hayes. As a team, the Vikings' 11 blocks against Denison ties a program record for most in a three-set match, a record established more than a decade ago.
Match 2: North Park 3, UChicago 2 (16-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 15-9)
In their second match of the day, North Park rallied from a set down twice to defeat UChicago in a five-set thriller. After dropping the first and third sets, the Vikings surged in the fourth and fifth behind clutch performances from their veterans.
Simeona-French again led the attack with 11 kills and 2 aces while Rothermel was unstoppable at the net with 11 kills and a .381 hitting percentage. Britton dished out 30 assists and added 15 digs, and senior outside hitter SaeAuna Reynolds came up big in the final sets with 6 kills and 2 blocks.
North Park's serving proved pivotal, with 9 aces including key contributions from Aviles and freshman defensive specialist Tessa Wabiszewski. The Vikings held UChicago to a negative hitting percentage in the fourth set and closed out the fifth with a 15-9 win.
Hayes' three solo blocks against the Maroons ties for fourth all-time. Britton rises to ninth in all-time assists at North Park while Aviles surpasses the 200 ace mark, becoming only the third Viking with 200+, joining Christina Gatta and Adriana Rodriguez.
What's Next?
North Park (18-7, 2-3 CCIW) steps back into conference play on Wednesday, October 22, welcoming the Millikin Big Blue (10-10, 3-1) to Carlson Gym. First serve will be at 7:00 PM CT.