Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Oct. 21, 2024 - Bailey Houlihan of the North Central College women's volleyball team earned her second College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Week honor of the season.

North Central dropped a five-set match to Illinois Wesleyan University Wednesday before celebrating the senior class with a 3-0 sweep of St. Norbert College on Friday. Houlihan tallied 43 digs on the week, tied for second-most among league competition. The libero also ranked fourth in the CCIW with five service aces on the week. She recorded three assists over the Cardinals' two matches as well.

Houlihan becomes one of just nine players in program history to earn multiple CCIW Player of the Week honors since the conference began issuing awards in 2000. She joins Maddi Barickman, Amber Vande Hei, Lauren Benson and Aleesa Zebold as current Cardinals to claim a CCIW weekly honor.

North Central (16-6, 3-2 CCIW) faces Augustana College (8-15, 1-3 CCIW) on Friday night for a CCIW matchup. The contest is set to begin at 7 p.m. inside the Carver Center.

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