CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park opened Saturday with a five-set victory over Eastern (25-20, 16-25, 14-25, 25-20, 15-9) before closing the day with a three-set loss to UChicago (25-18, 25-20, 26-24) at Carlson Gym to conclude the 2026 Windy City Invite.
North Park Over Eastern, 3-2
North Park broke a 9-9 tie in the opening set behind three kills from freshman middle blocker Reese Lackage, then closed the frame with four of the final five points. After Eastern took the next two sets, senior right-side hitter Grace Morrow provided a spark in the fourth. Morrow recorded three kills as North Park trimmed an early deficit to 8-7, then added another during the Vikings' comeback from 16-11 down. Junior defensive specialist Carmella Rio brought energy to the floor and helped keep extended rallies alive before serving consecutive aces during a five-point run that tied the set at 16. Senior outside hitter Rian Hobbs later delivered three straight kills to force a fifth set.
Morrow remained effective in the deciding frame, producing consecutive kills to give North Park a 5-4 advantage and adding another for an 8-7 lead. Lackage then contributed to two late blocks as the Vikings pulled away. Rio finished the match with consecutive service aces, including the clinching point. Hobbs led North Park with 20 kills, while Morrow totaled seven kills on a .417 hitting percentage. Lackage added seven kills, three block assists and a .353 hitting percentage.
North Park Falls to U-Chicago in 3
The Vikings erased an early first-set deficit with a 5-0 run that included consecutive aces from sophomore defensive specialist Tessa Wabiszewski, while junior defensive specialist Carmella Rio and the North Park back row helped sustain several rallies. UChicago regained control late and carried that momentum into the second set, using a five-point run to create separation before holding off a late Vikings push.
North Park produced its strongest challenge in the third. A kill and two blocks from Lackage helped the Vikings turn an 11-8 deficit into a 14-13 lead. Rio later delivered an ace to put North Park ahead 19-17, and Hobbs helped the Vikings stay even at 21. Senior opposite Mercy Osayemi recorded two late kills, including one that tied the set at 24, but UChicago captured the final two points to finish the sweep. Hobbs led North Park with 10 kills, while Lackage contributed two kills and three block assists.
What's Next?
North Park (3-4) faces Aurora University (8-2) on the road, September 16 at Thornton Gym.
