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

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Nov. 14, 2024) - Playing in their first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Tournament Semifinal since 2009, the North Central College women's volleyball team fell in straight sets to the top-seeded Illinois Wesleyan University on Thursday night inside the Shirk Center.

A kill from Abbi Barickman put the Cardinals on the board before the Titans forced a Cardinal timeout, taking a 9-5 lead. The teams alternated the next 12 points as a block from Amber Vande Hei brought North Central within four, 16-12. Illinois Wesleyan's run forced another Cardinal timeout as the Titans stayed up top, ultimately taking a 25-16 win in the opening set.

IWU opened the second set on a 7-2 run, halted by an A. Barickman kill. The Cardinals fought back as a kill from Riley Clark and an ace from Katie Godo brought North Central within four, 10-6. Maddi Barickman set up A. Barickman for back-to-back kills, clawing the Cardinals closer, down 13-11. A clutch block from Clark and Ande Hei kept North Central within two, 17-15. A 5-1 rally from the Titans gave the home team a 25-18 victory in set two.

Two kills from A. Barickman highlighted a 5-2 run for the Cardinals to begin the third set. After the Titans evened the contest at eight, Clark broke the tie with her second kill of the set. M. Barickman set up Abby Buban, A. Barickman and Vande Hei for three straight kills to put North Central on top, 13-12. Forcing an IWU timeout, A. Barickman put home her 14th kill of the evening to give the Cardinals a 16-14 edge. The timeout proved useful as the Titans retook the lead, 18-17. Buban kept North Central close with a kill, 21-20 before IWU scored four of the final five points to earn a 25-21 win to complete the 3-0 victory.

Leading all players, A. Barickman posted 15 kills on the night with a .308 hitting percentage. M. Barickman delivered 30 assists while tallying six digs. Bailey Houlihan recorded 19 digs over the three sets. Vande Hei posted a match-high three blocks as well. Taylor French led the Titans with 13 kills and two aces. North Central hit .220 compared to the Titans' .312 mark.

The Cardinals are 22-8 on the season, the most wins since 2015. North Central entered the contest at No. 49 in the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball NPI Ratings, which is used to determine the 64-team field at the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show is on Monday, Nov. 18 at 12 p.m. on NCAA.com

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