Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
WAUKESHA, Wis. (Nov. 1, 2024) - Locking up the No. 4 seed in the upcoming College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament and a right to host a quarterfinal contest, the North Central College women's volleyball team swept Carroll University on Friday night inside Van Male Fieldhouse to conclude conference play.
A kill from Amber Vande Hei put the first Cardinal points on the board in the opening set, but the Pioneers jumped out to a 10-5 lead. A block from Riley Clark and Vande Hei capped off an 8-1 run for North Central, taking a 13-11 advantage. The teams traded points as an ace from Maddi Barickman knotted the contest at 18-18. Abby Buban's kill down the stretch allowed the Cardinals to score five of the final seven points of set one to earn a 25-23 victory.
Buban's second kill of set two put North Central ahead by two, 6-4 early on, Back-to-back kills from Vande Hei extended the Cardinal lead before Abbi Barickman gave North Central a six-point edge with a kill, 14-8. Vande Hei and Buban teamed up for a block to keep the Cardinals in front, 20-14. A Pioneer service error secured a 25-17 win for North Central in the second set.
Looking to complete the sweep, an ace from A. Barickman put the Cardinals in front, 5-4 in the third set. After each team traded runs, kills from Buban, Vande Hei and A. Barickman highlighted a 5-1 rally to give North Central a 15-13 lead. Lauren Benson found her groove by scoring four of the Cardinals' next six points of the set. Clinching the victory, A. Barickman sent home a kill to give North Central a 25-22 win.
Vande Hei led all players with 11 kills on the night while also racking up a match-high four blocks. M. Barickman sent out 31 assists over the three sets with Bailey Houlihan racking up 24 assists. As a team, North Central posted a .123 hitting percentage while holding Carroll to .093. This marks the third straight match the Cardinal defense has held its opposition under a .100 hitting percentage.
The Cardinals will host the No. 5 seed North Park in the CCIW Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 12, which will be determined following the conclusion of the regular season.
Next up for North Central is Knox College on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for the final regular season home match of the year. That contest is set for 7 p.m. inside Gregory Arena.
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