NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The North Park University women's volleyball team dropped a College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin contest to North Central College on Wednesday night, falling in straight sets 25-13, 27-25, 25-17 at Gregory Arena.
The Cardinals pulled away in the opening set with an 8-0 run to turn a 9-9 tie into a comfortable advantage. North Central hit .393 in the frame and closed out the set, 25-13.
North Park responded in a tightly contested second set that featured 13 ties and six lead changes. The Vikings erased an early deficit and took a 24-23 lead following a kill from senior outside hitter Rian Hobbs. North Park held two set points, but North Central rallied late with consecutive kills to claim the set, 27-25, and take a 2-0 match lead.
The Vikings battled throughout the third set, using service aces from junior libero Xenia Gonzales and kills from senior right-side hitter Grace Morrow to stay within striking distance. North Central maintained control down the stretch, however, securing the 25-17 set victory and the match sweep.
Senior middle blocker Meg Rothermel led North Park with nine kills, while Morrow added six kills and hit .385. Senior setter Kendal Britton recorded 25 assists, and Gonzales paced the defense with 13 digs and two aces.
North Central was led by Ava Hoff's match-high 14 kills, while Abby Buban added 10 kills and nine digs. Sarah Harvey directed the Cardinals' offense with 30 assists and contributed 10 digs.
What's Next?
North Park (8-15, 0-5 CCIW) returns to action on Friday, October 23, traveling to Waukesha, Wisconsin to take on Carroll University.
