FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Story written by Joe Norton

Sep. 19, 2009 -- The North Central College volleyball team was perfect inside Gregory Arena on Saturday at the Tiffany Robinson Triangular, defeating Benedictine University and Lake Forest College by identical 3-0 scores.

The Cardinals first squared off against the Eagles of Benedictine, starting off with a slim 25-21 victory in the opening set. North Central jumped out to an early lead and were close to finishing the Eagles off at 24-14 before the Eagles scored seven straight points to roar back to 24-21. The Cardinals, however, overcame the momentum swing and took the set. The Cardinals proved to be on their game in the second set, as they baffled the Eagles, cruising to a 25-15 victory.

Benedictine fought hard in the final set of the match to stay alive, but that Cardinals were just too strong, taking the third set 25-23. Freshmen setter Ryan Lally continued to impress, putting up 27 assists during the match to pace the offense. Emily Cardwell and Crystal Wright led the attack for the Cardinals tallying nine and eight kills, respectively. Senior Christy Hermann also put down six kills in the match. Reigning CCIW Defensive Player of the Week, Stephanie Ryding, led the way defensively once again, totaling 24 digs in the match.

The Cardinals were equally as impressive in the afternoon match against Lake Forest College, once again winning 3-0. The Cardinals struggled early against the Foresters, falling behind in the opening set. North Central roared back though, behind strong attacks from Cardwell and sophomore Joelle Lusson, and eventually took the first set 25-20. North Central triumphed 25-17 in the second set before posting a dominating third set, managing to not give up a point to the Foresters on the away team's serve until more than halfway through the set. The Cardinals walked away with a 25-19 victory, completing their second sweep of the day.

Cardwell finished with ten kills in the match, while Lusson totaled eight. Hermann once again put down six. Lally led the way in assists, tallying 20, while sophomore Alyssa Lantz chipped in 13. Ryding was once again the defensive ace, racking up 23 digs to lead the way.

The Cardinals (12-1) hit the road on Tuesday, September 22, facing Millikin University in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin match in Decatur, Ill.