DUBUQUE, Iowa -- North Park Men's Volleyball brought all the energy in their College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener at No. 12-ranked Loras College on Tuesday evening. In a four-set match that featured 105 kills, the Duhawks came out on top (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 21-25).
The Vikings opened the evening with their worst set of the night, managing only nine kills against a high-powered and tall Duhawk front line. North Park hit only .074 while Loras attacked at a .500 clip and had five kills from Corey Mayotte.
However, despite a 16-10 lead in the second set for the Duhawks, kills by seniors Sam Robinson and Ty Ingrao coupled with three service aces from fifth-year setter Teddy Gedville gave the Vikings their first sign of life with six unanswered points. Loras would limp away with the 25-21 second set win but the motivation was there for North Park.
Loras slowly built nearly a 10-point lead (15-6) before a kill by Ingrao, four Duhawk attacking errors, and a bad set put NPU within four at 15-12. Consecutive kills by Gedville and Ingrao closed the gap to two points before a Duhawk service error and kill by Ingrao put North Park right on Loras's heels. Sophomore outside hitter Gerald Malana drove a pair of attacks onto the Duhawks' side of the court, vaporizing a nine-point advantage to 19-19 all.
Loras would pull ahead three more times, including getting to match point (24-23). However, a Duhawk attack error, bad set, and back corner kill for Malana gave the Vikings three-straight points and a third-set win. Excluding the straight sets loss to No. 1-ranked Southern Virginia University, this would be the Duhawks' first time dropping a set since their first one of the season against Wittenberg on Jan. 24.
Ingrao had seven kills and hit an eye-popping .750 in that intense third set. Senior setter Liam Miller had six assists and fifth-year libero Noah Chanthalangsy had as many digs. The Vikings were also aided by solo blocks from Malana and Johnsamson.
The fourth set featured two tied scores and as many lead changes as the Vikings refused to go quietly. Both Ingrao and Malana had four kills in the final race to 25 that featured aces from Malana and Robinson. Unfortunately, Loras won the battle of fire-vs-fire as the Duhawks carried a .389 attacking percentage with 57 kills in the four-set win.
Quick Hits:
- Ingrao and Malana with double-digit kills, 15 and 11 respectively
- Season high three aces for Gedville, who added nine kills
- Loras led by a 20-kill, .385 night for Mayotte
- Miller one shy of a season high with 24 assists
What's Next?
North Park (7-6, 0-1 CCIW) stays in CCIW action this coming Saturday, Feb. 22, in a home match against the Augustana College Vikings (10-3, 0-0). First serve in Carlson will be 3:00 PM.
