Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

LISLE, Ill. (Feb. 6, 2016) -- Struggling to get the offensive attack on track, the North Central College men's volleyball team was unable to avenge an earlier season five-set loss at the hands of Benedictine University, falling in 3-0 in straight sets at the Rice Center on Saturday afternoon.

North Central (2-7, 1-1 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League) held a 10-8 lead midway through the opening set, as back-to-back kills from Jacob Zemba broke a 8-8 tie.  The Cardinal lead did not last long however, as Benedictine countered to score the next seven points, quickly turning the tables to take a 15-10 lead.

The Cardinals drew to within two points of the lead later in the set, 17-15, but the Eagles (7-4, 2-0 MCVL) ended the set on a 8-2 run, claiming the first set 25-17.

Set number two was back-and-forth the whole way, but back-to-back Eagle kills broke a 22-22 tie and set up set point.  A Jake Braceros kill cut the Eagle lead to just one on the next possession, Benedictine's John Mathews put home the set-winning kill the following point to seal the set 25-23 in favor of Benedictine.

The third set was all Benedictine, as the Eagles jumped out to a 17-9 lead midway through the set and cruised to a 25-20 win.  The Cardinals hit a match-low .061 in the third set, finishing with nine kills and seven attack errors.

Zemba led the Cardinal attack with eight kills and a team-high nine digs.  Raymond Kraus led the way with 24 assists, while Max Lawrence led the team with six total blocks defensively.

Mathews led the Eagle attack with 11 kills on the afternoon, while Markus Riemer turned in a match-high 32 assists.  Defensively, Ian Thompson finished with a match-high 15 digs, while Sterling Glover added 11.

North Central returns home on Friday, Feb. 12, playing host to Loras College at 7:30 p.m.  Links to live coverage are available HERE.