Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu

Mar. 20, 2024 - The No. 11 North Central College men's volleyball team fell 3-0 to Augustana College Wednesday night inside Gregory Arena.
 
The Cardinals side of the court saw a few changes to the usual lineup due to several injuries. Starting for North Central was Cooper Lundal, Jared Moser, Caelan Koth, BK Bartlett, Karson Eggert, Mitchell Hester, and Danny Smithers as the Cardinals libero.
 
Moser opened up serving for North Central and led the team to a 3-1 start, including a service ace. The Viking swiftly earned eight consecutive points to take control of the game (12-4). North Central took a 6-2 rally to chip away at Augustana's lead, including a service ace by Lundal (14-10). However, Augustana rapidly took the momentum from North Central by taking six of seven points (18-10). The two teams traded off points before an attacking error gave the Vikings the first set, 25-19.
 
The score stayed close in the second set with seven tied scores and three lead changes. The set started with back-and-forth points between the two teams leading to a 7-7 tie. The Cardinals found themselves down by four (16-12), but a kill by Bartlett kept North Central in the game. North Central continued to chase Augustana, earning three consecutive points with the help of kills by Koth and Hester (20-17). Eggert tied the score at 22-22, but the Vikings took the set after earning three straight points (25-22).
 
The third set started with the two teams exchanging points once again. Carson Skalbeck delivered a fierce serve to the Vikings and earned his first service ace of the season (6-5). Tied at 7-7, the Vikings started to edge away. Augustana gained momentum resulting in a 10-3 rally (20-12). North Central continued to fight, bringing the score within five points (22-17). Augustana took the set and the match by a kill from their offense (25-18).
 
The freshman duo Bartlett and Koth lead the Cardinals offense with seven kills each. Moser served up three service aces, while Eggert earned 21 assists on the night. Smithers and Koth led the North Central defense. Smithers recorded 13 digs and Koth earned two blocks.
 
North Central heads to No. 10 Carthage College (12-5, 4-1 CCIW) on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals are looking for revenge after falling to the Firebirds in a five-set heartbreaker earlier in the season. The first serve begins at 3 pm inside the Tarble Arena.

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