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

Ripon Box Score
Marian Box Score

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Sept. 2, 2011) - The North Central College volleyball team was able to open the season with a victory for the sixth straight season on Friday, posting wins in both of its matches at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Invitational.

The Cardinals opened play with a 3-1 victory over Ripon College (Wis.), then followed with a 3-0 shutout of Marian University (Wis.) 

North Central scored a 25-17 win in the first set against Ripon before a 25-20 setback in the second set. The Cardinals closed out the match by winning the third set, 25-23, and the fourth, 25-21.

Crystal Wright led the Cardinals' attack against Ripon with 14 kills, moving her past 1,000 for her career, while Amber Ladwig added eight. Ryan Lally led the Cardinals with 31 assists and three service aces, and her nine digs ranked second on the team to Joelle Lusson's total of 13.

North Central met with little resistance in its second match, prevailing in straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-15. Wright again led the Cardinals on offense, hitting .302 with 15 kills, and also matched Lusson for the team lead in digs (7). Ladwig finished with 10 kills and two service aces and Lally totaled 34 assists.

The Cardinals conclude play in Stevens Point on Saturday, facing the University of Minnesota-Morris at 10 a.m. and the College of St. Catherine (Minn.) at noon.