Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
CHICAGO (Sept. 13, 2023) - Opening College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play against the reigning CCIW Tournament champions, the North Central College women's volleyball team fell in four sets to North Park University on Wednesday night.
A kill from Lauren Benson put the Cardinals ahead, 4-1 early on in the first set. The teams traded points throughout the set as a kill from Amber Vande Hei knotted the contest at 17. With a 20-20 tie, Maddi Barickman set up Abbi Barickman for a kill to give North Central a one-point advantage. The Cardinals scored five of the final seven points to claim set one, 25-22.
North Park jumped out to a 9-3 lead but a block from Kendra Battle and Benson halted the Vikings run. The Cardinals rallied off an 11-3 run to give themselves a one-point lead, 19-18. The teams traded rallies to set the contest at 24-24 but North Park scored the final two points to even the match at 1-1.
Three kills from A. Barickman put the Cardinals ahead by one, 7-6 in the third set. Danni Moser's second kill of the set gave North Central a 13-11 advantage before the Vikings retook the lead, 16-14. North Park led the rest of the way to win set three, 25-18.
Needing to win the fourth set to stay alive in the match, M. Barickman delivered a service ace to tie the set at five. Again the teams traded points until back-to-back aces from Kendall Krueger gave the Cardinals a 12-10 lead. The Vikings battled back as a kill from Kendal Franklin tied the set at 18-18. North Park finished the set by scoring seven of the final ten points to earn a 25-21 victory and win the match, 3-1.
A. Barickman racked up a match-high 13 kills with M. Barickman sending out 25 assists. Aleesa Zebold tallied 23 digs while Vande Hei recorded six blocks on the night. The Cardinals hit .135 to the Vikings .163.
North Central returns to Gregory Arena on Friday night in a non-conference contest against the Milwaukee School of Engineering. That match is set for 7 p.m. as the Cardinals look to move to 3-0 against the Raiders all-time.
Download the free North Central Cardinals app for iOS and Android devices to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores, and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.
