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

Box Score

Sept. 13, 2011 - The first set proved to be a pivotal one in the North Central College volleyball team's initial College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin match of the season on Tuesday, as Elmhurst College claimed a narrow win in the first frame and went on to take down the Cardinals, 3-0, at Gregory Arena.

In a first set that included 20 ties and 13 lead changes, North Central (5-4, 0-1 CCIW) bounced back from a 21-18 deficit to tie the score at 22-22, prompting a Bluejay timeout. The Cardinals faced a pair of set points before a kill by Crystal Wright and a block by Amber Ladwig and Lauren Pool put the hosts in the driver's seat at 26-25. 

Elmhurst, however, proved difficult to put away and tied the contest twice, including a 27-27 deadlock, before securing the final two points and closing out the set on a kill by middle hitter Megan Reynolds.

The Bluejays (6-1, 1-0) used the positive momentum to their advantage, dominating the second set and winning, 25-12, then leading throughout the third set and completing the shutout with a 25-20 victory.

Jenae Harner was North Central's top attacker, hitting .407 and recording 12 kills. Wright finished with nine kills and tied Joelle Lusson for the team lead in digs (13). Ryan Lally totaled 19 assists in the first two sets, and Allison Kereven came on the third set to put up eight assists. Ladiwg and Pool each finished with three blocks.

The Cardinals host the Red/Black Triangular on Saturday, hosting Benedictine University at 10 a.m. and Lake Forest College at noon.