Chicago, IL – North Park Men's Volleyball hosted #3 Carthage College on Wednesday night at Carlson Gymnasium. Despite a resilient third-set push that saw multiple lead changes, the Vikings (1-13, 0-2 CCIW) were unable to overcome the efficient attack of the Firebirds, falling in straight sets (13-25, 14-25, 19-25).
The match began with the Vikings jumping out to a 3-0 start as Adebayo Adekunle and Jan Dragan hammered home early kills. Josiah Walker provided an offensive spark off the bench with three kills in the frame, while Gerald Buhain Malana added two of his own. However, Carthage utilized a strong service game, including two aces from Owen Hendricks, to pull away and take the opening set 25-13. Set two saw the Firebirds open with a 6-1 run. Dragan and Buhain Malana both recorded kills to keep the Vikings competitive, and libero Zachary Hayden even contributed a rare kill to bring the score to 7-17. Despite Walker adding another kill late in the set, Carthage's .455 hitting percentage in the frame proved too much as they secured a 25-14 win.
The third set was the most competitive of the night, featuring nine ties and three lead changes. North Park surged to an early 5-2 lead fueled by a Giovanni Serafini service ace and a kill from Walker. The Vikings continued to pressure the Firebirds, reclaiming the lead at 11-10 on a Buhain Malana ace and again at 16-15 after a Carthage error. Dragan came up big with a solo block late to put North Park up 19-18, but Carthage closed out the match on a 7-0 run to clinch the set 25-19.
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