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Box Score

Mar. 19, 2016 – The North Central College men's volleyball team (6-15, 5-7 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League) made it three wins in a row, making short work of Adrian College 3-0 on Saturday morning.

The bar had been set high in the previous two matches, but the Cardinals had no problem meeting it as they opened the first set by taking a 14-7 lead early. Through a combination of kills from freshman Kolev Bozhidar and errors from the Bulldogs, North Central were able to set the tone of the match early. Thanks to freshman Raymond Kraus continuing to set the ball in the perfect spots for the Cardinals attackers, they extended the lead to 20-12, and eventually ended the set 25-18.

Thanks to three aces from  freshman Jake Braceros combined with more errors from the Bulldogs, the Cardinals were able to race out to a 5-1 lead to begin the second set. The set was never in question, as freshman Andrew Bergstrand would make a significant impact offensively, helping out the duo of Bozhidar and freshman Jacob Zemba, who have been so effective for the Cardinals. The set would end 25-14 and in fitting fashion, with Bozhidar serving an ace.

The third set was slightly closer, with the score being 25-17. However, there many positive signs for the Cardinals, as Kraus continued the effective passing that had made things simple for the likes of Bozhidar, Braceros, Zemba and Bergstand. A Braceros kill would give the Cardinals a 20-12 lead, effectively putting the set and match out of reach for the Bulldogs. Bozhidar would again fittingly end the set, this time with a kill, something that has been a common occurrence this season.

The Cardinals depth was on display as they featured a balanced attack, as Bozhidar led the team with nine kills, followed by Zemba and Bergstrand with eight, and Braceros with seven. They were the beneficiaries of highly effective setting from Kraus, who finished with 27 assists overall. Defensively, they worked as a unit to nullify the Bulldogs attack, with Braceros finishing with nine digs, Bozhidar with seven, and Zemba, Kraus, and Messer with four apiece.

The Cardinals will look to make it four straight wins, when they travel to Plymouth, Wisconsin on Wednesday to take on Marian University at 4 P.M and Lakeland University at 6 P.M.