Contact: Ben Nordman, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302

Millikin Box Score
St. Norbert Box Score

DECATUR, ILL. (Feb. 15, 2020) - Taking on both Millikin University in their first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) match-up of the year and St. Norbert College in a triangular on Saturday, the North Central College men's volleyball team brought home two victories to increase their win streak to five, winning both contests in three sets.

The Cardinals first took on Millikin (1-9, 0-1 CCIW) to open up their conference schedule for the season. The Big Blue proved to be a tougher match for the Cardinals in the first set than any other, hitting their match-best 0.200 through the set while the Cardinals also hit their best 0.500, taking down Millikin 25-19. The Cardinals kept the pressure on Millikin in the second set, holding their CCIW foe to a 0.083 hitting percentage, increasing their advantage to 2-0 in the match and looking sweep the Big Blue off their home floor.

With all the momentum on their side, the Cardinals finished off the match easily in the third set, cruising to a 25-11 score. Overall, Jason Eslinger led the team with 10 kills, also adding six digs and one block assist. Ben Williams and Casey Hiller also had standout games, with Williams recording six kills on eight attempts and Hiller also recording six kills on nine attempts. Michael Trunzo again handled the setting duties, assisting on 31 kills while also leading the team with 10 digs.

The Cardinals had a short break before taking on St. Norbert (2-8), making short work of the Green Knights, also taking the match in three sets. Starting where they finished against Millikin, North Central took the first set easily while not allowing St. Norbert to reach double digits, 25-9. While the second set was much closer, the Cardinals were able to pull through again, this time 25-19. North Central managed a 0.406 hitting percentage, serving up three aces and recording 17 total kills. The Cardinals mustered a third-set victory by way of a 25-17 tally, adding to their win streak.

Kevin Braceros recorded his best match of the season for the Cardinals, recording 11 kills and nine digs, leading the team in kills and tying Sam Kharasch for digs. Ben Pluskota had three aces while Justin Curtis also had a notable performance, recording eight kills on 11 attempts. 

The Cardinals (7-3, 1-0 CCIW) now carrying their five-game win streak into the meat of their CCIW schedule, taking on North Park University on Feb. 22 at home. Check out the live stream for that contest HERE and live stats HERE.

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