Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
Feb. 22, 2025 - Facing one of their toughest opponents of the season in Gregory Arena, the No. 18 North Central College men's volleyball team fell to No. 12 Loras College 4-1 on Saturday evening.
North Central started the match off hot, earning the first three points. The Cardinals held strong and kept their lead until the Duhawks were able to tie the score at 17 all. The Cardinals capitalized on Loras' errors and
Jonathan Brown's service ace to earn three consecutive points and take the lead once again (20-17).
PJ Vaughan delivered a powerful serve that proved too much for the Duhawks to handle, and the Cardinals won the first set 25-21.
During the short break between sets, the Loras squad found the energy to take to the court. The second set started with the Duhawks capitalizing on four consecutive Cardinal errors. However,
Tyler Donovan cut Lora's momentum with back-to-back kills and cut their lead in half (4-2). The Cardinals continued to fight, but down 8-12, the Duhawks earned another four straight points (16-8). After trading off points, Loras took the set 25-19 from a kill.
The Duhawks jumped to an early 9-4 lead in the third set. The Cardinals were able to keep the score within four until Loras earned four consecutive points off two kills and two North Central errors (17-9). The Cardinals were able to pick up five more points before the Duhawks won their second set of the match 25-14.
The fourth set began with the teams trading off points, but at 3-3, the Duhawks took a five-point run (8-3). Loras' offense held a .485 attacking percentage, keeping North Central to a .267 percent. The Duhawks ultimately won the final set 25-17 and won the match 4-1.
For the second match in a row,
Carson Steinbach recorded 15 kills. Additionally, Steinbach tallied 15 digs and one service ace. Donovan earned 34 assists.
North Central will be on the road next Tuesday, Feb. 26, to take on the fifth-ranked Carthage College Firebirds in Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis. First serve is at 7 p.m.
