Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
DUBUQUE, Iowa (Apr. 6, 2024) - In yet another five-set thriller, the North Central College men's volleyball fell to Loras College 3-2 in their final match of the regular season on Saturday night.
North Central opened up the match with back-to-back kills from
Austin Scott and
Jared Moser. The Cardinals continued to lead the game, but the Duhawks were close behind. At 8-6, North Central earned three consecutive points (11-6). Loras was able to tie the score at 22-22 and then again at 24-24. North Central took the final two points of the set-off kills by
Connor Davis and Scott (26-24).
In the second set, the Cardinals held a slight lead over the Duhawks. At 8-5, Loras found momentum and took a 7-1 run to take the lead (12-9). North Central bounced back to take six consecutive points (15-12). The two teams continued to trade off runs, and the Cardinals held a two-point lead (20-18). North Central took a four-point run, led by Moser at the service line (24-19). The Cardinals took the second set after a service error from the Duhawks (25-19).
The third set saw 12 tied scores and two lead changes. After trading off points, the score was tied 14-14. Loras found a burst of energy to earn seven consecutive points (21-14). The Cardinal fought back, but it was not enough to stop the Duhawks. Loras won the set 25-18.
North Central earned the first point of the fourth set before Loras took four straight points (4-1). The Cardinals were down 7-3 when the two teams started to exchange points. North Central continued to fight, but Loras was always slightly too far away. The Duhawks earned their second set of the match after a service error from the Cardinals (25-19).
The fifth set saw seven tied scores and five lead changes. Loras jumped to a 3-1 lead before the two teams began to trade points every two rallies. Tied at 8-8, the Duhawks took three consecutive points (11-8). The Cardinals were down 13-11, and before they could catch up, Loras earned the final two points of the match (15-11).
Moser was the lone North Central athlete to deliver a service ace and recorded 16 kills. Also, on the offensive front, Donovan tallied 39 assists. Additionally, Donovan led the team with four blocks and 15 digs.
North Central will get a chance for revenge next Wednesday, Apr. 10, at 7 p.m. when the two teams face off in Dubuque, Iowa, for the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Semifinals.
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