FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

HOLLAND, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2009) – The North Central College volleyball team showed the grit and determination of a championship contender in its first NCAA Division III Regional Championship appearance on Thursday, turning away 19th-ranked Heidelberg University (Ohio), 3-1, in four closely-contested sets in their quarterfinal match at Hope College's DeVos Fieldhouse.

The Cardinals (35-4) enjoyed a strong start to the match, taking a 12-6 lead early in the first set. North Central extended its advantage to 18-10, prompting a Heidelberg timeout, before the Student Princes (27-8) staged a late rally. After seeing its lead cut down to two points at 24-22, the Cardinals closed out the set with a solo block by Ali Briner.

Heidelberg countered by taking the early lead in the second set, and maintained its advantage throughout, squaring the match at 1-1 with a 25-23 win. The teams traded the lead back and forth early in the third set, with the Student Princes erasing a 10-9 deficit and pulling ahead with a 4-1 run. 

Trailing, 19-15, the Cardinals embarked on a run and tied the score at 22-22. North Central took a trio of one-point leads before scoring the win, 26-24. North Central held a slim lead throughout the fourth set and prevailed, 25-23, to advance to the semifinal round.

Christy Hermann hit .458 with a team-high 11 kills for North Central, while Ryan Lally finished with 38 assists. Stephanie Ryding turned in 39 digs, one short of her single-match high for the season, Jenae Harner turned in 22, and Lally finished with 20.

North Central takes on fifth-ranked Ohio Northern University (28-3) at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. Live in-match statistics and video are available at www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/vbchampionship/index.html.