Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
 
Feb. 29, 2024 - Facing Carthage College for the first time since last season's Regional Championship match, the North Central College men's volleyball team fell to the Firebirds in a heartbreaking five-set match on Wednesday night in Gregory Arena.
 
The first set was back and forth until a kill from Tyler Donovan sent the Cardinals on a four-point run (8-5). Carthage continued to put pressure on North Central, and the Firebirds were able to tie the score at 10-10. The two teams continued to trade off points throughout the set. At 24-21, a kill by Carthage's Owen Otto threatened the Cardinal's lead. Jared Moser proceeded to end the set with one of his signature kills (25-22).
 
The second set saw 15 tied scores and seven lead changes. Tied at 4-4, the Cardinals had an edge over the Firebirds after earning three consecutive points (6-4). However, Carthage responded by taking on a 5-1 run to take the lead (9-7). Only a couple of rallies later, it was North Central's turn to go on a 5-1 run (13-11). The Cardinals and the Firebirds continued to tie the score, and at 24-24, both teams were eager to take the set. Another powerful kill by Moser and an attack error by Carthage gave the Cardinals the set, 27-25.
 
The Firebirds started the third set by earning five unanswered points (5-0), but the Cardinals kept their heads up. After chipping away at Carthage's lead, a service ace and a kill by Moser put North Central within one point of the Firebirds (10-9). Later, Moser hit two back-to-back service aces (20-17), but it was not enough to take the lead from Carthage. The Firebirds took set three 25-19.
 
North Central led the fourth set 2-0, but Carthage followed with four consecutive points to take the lead (4-2). The Cardinals tied the score at 5-5 with a service ace by Moser. The two teams kept the score close until the Firebirds gained momentum and started to pull away with a 17-15 lead. Carthage earned six unanswered points (23-15), ultimately taking the set 25-17.
 
The fifth set saw six tied scores and two lead changes. The Firebirds took a fast 4-2 lead, but a service error from Carthage and a service ace by Donovan tied the set 4-4. The teams continued to trade points before the Firebirds earned four straight points. Not giving up, a kill by Mitchell Hester took North Central on a six-point run (14-12). The Carthage offense pushed back to earn four consecutive points to take the match 16-14.
 
Moser and Donovan led the Cardinals offense. Moser tallied 14 kills and four service aces, while Donovan recorded 30 assists. Freshman Caelan Koth led the defense with nine digs. Meanwhile, Hester was a wall at the net with six blocks on the night.
 
North Central continues CCIW play on Saturday as they travel to Rock Island, Ill., to take on Augustana College. The match begins at 3 p.m. inside Carver Center.
 
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available 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.