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

Jan. 31, 2016) - The North Central College men's volleyball team took the court for the final time before Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) play against the No. 7-ranked NAIA team in the nation Sunday, absorbing a 3-0 loss to the Graceland University (Iowa) Yellowjackets at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals (1-6), who gave some regular members of the rotation the day off in advance of the start of conference play, went deep into their bench to give 17 total players time on the court against Graceland (9-1), who entered the match as the NAIA national leader in total blocks.

North Central trailed in the opening set, 13-10, before getting three straight service aces from Bozhidar Kolev to tie the score at 13-13 and prompt a Yellowjacket timeout. Graceland regrouped and scored 10 of the final 11 points to win, 25-16. The visitors followed up by winning the next two sets, 25-12 and 25-13, to close out the win. 

The Cardinals begin MCVL play Tuesday at Dominican University, currently ranked 13th nationally among NCAA Division III teams. Play is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.