SEWANEE, Tenn. -- North Park women's volleyball opened its season with a pair of losses Friday at Juhan Gymnasium, falling in three sets to Lynchburg before dropping a four-set decision to Transylvania. Both teams received votes in the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason National Top 25 Poll.
The Vikings began the day with a 25-17, 25-17, 27-25 loss to Lynchburg. After dropping the first two sets, North Park responded with a strong effort in the third. The Vikings used a 7-1 run to turn a 12-9 advantage into a 19-10 lead, with junior outside hitter Maya Huelsman supplying three kills and senior outside hitter Rian Hobbs adding two during the stretch.
Lynchburg worked its way back and tied the set at 21, but North Park continued to battle. Hobbs delivered kills that gave the Vikings set-point opportunities at 24-23 and 25-24 before the Hornets scored three of the final four points to complete the sweep. Hobbs led North Park with 10 kills, while Huelsman added nine. Sneior setter Kendal Britton distributed 20 assists, sophomore libero Tessa Wabiszewski collected 13 digs and senior Mercy Osayemi totaled four blocks.
North Park returned to the court later in the afternoon and fell to Transylvania, 25-22, 12-25, 25-16, 25-22. The opening set featured eight ties, including an 11-11 deadlock midway through the frame. Transylvania created some separation late, but the Vikings answered with a 5-1 run to pull within 23-22 before the Pioneers secured the final two points.
The Vikings controlled the second set behind two extended scoring runs. With North Park leading 9-8, junior defensive specialist Carmella Rio served during a four-point surge that pushed the advantage to 13-8. Later, Wabiszewski helped the Vikings produce six consecutive points, with three Hobbs kills highlighting the run and extending the lead to 19-9. North Park finished the dominant 25-12 set victory with 15 kills and a .481 hitting percentage.
After Transylvania took the third set, North Park built a 16-11 lead in the fourth. The Vikings scored six of seven points during that stretch, receiving kills from Hobbs, senior outside hitter Grace Morrow and junior middle blocker Ivy Newville. Transylvania rallied to tie the set at 18 and later used a four-point run to move ahead 22-20. North Park pulled even at 22 before the Pioneers claimed the final three points to close the match.
Hobbs paced the Vikings with 12 kills against Transylvania, Huelsman followed with 10 and Newville added eight while hitting .368. Britton totaled 34 assists, while Wabiszewski and Rio recorded 10 digs apiece.
Hobbs led North Park with 22 kills across the two matches, while Huelsman finished close behind with 19.
What's Next?
North Park (0-2) faces host Sewanee University (1-0) tomorrow, September 5, at 10:00 AM CT.
