CHICAGO, Ill. -- In a hard-fought battle at Carlson Gymnasium, North Park University Volleyball came up just short against Millikin University, falling in a five-set heartbreaker (25-22, 16-25, 22-25, 25-19, 12-15) on Wednesday night. The loss drops North Park to 18-8 overall and 2-5 in CCIW play.

After dropping the opening set, the Big Blue responded with back-to-back wins in the second and third, capitalizing on North Park's errors and executing a balanced attack. In the decisive fifth set, Millikin overcame an early deficit, rallying behind standout performances from Addison Oyer and Delaney Higgins, who combined for 30 kills.

North Park opened strong, taking the first set 25-22, but Millikin responded with wins in the second and third. The Vikings battled back in the fourth, fueled by the energy of their bench and a surge in offensive efficiency. However, Millikin edged out the fifth set 15-12 to seal the match.

Despite the final result, the Vikings showcased resilience and depth, with several key contributions from players coming off the bench. Senior outside hitter Shamyia Collier provided a much-needed spark, tallying 15 kills and 15.5 points across five sets. Her presence at the net was felt throughout the match, especially in the fourth set where North Park rallied to force a decisive fifth frame. Another standout off the bench was sophomore outside hitter Payton Smith, who entered in the fourth set and delivered 9 kills with an impressive .412 hitting percentage, along with 3 blocks and 11 total points. Smith's late-game performance was instrumental in North Park's fourth-set victory and kept the Vikings within striking distance in the fifth.

Leading the charge for North Park was junior middle blocker Meg Rothermel, who turned in one of her most complete performances of the season. Rothermel racked up 13 kills on a .423 hitting percentage and was a force at the net with 7 total blocks. She also added 3 service aces and consistently came through in clutch moments, including multiple kills and blocks that helped swing momentum in North Park's favor. Her 20.5 total points led all players. Junior setter Kendal Britton orchestrated the offense with 54 assists and added 13 digs and 2 blocks.

What's Next?

North Park hosts No. 21-ranked University of Dubuque this Friday, October 24, at 7:00 PM CT.