Contact: Anna Fox, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, amfox@noctrl.edu
(Written by Jim Godo, Vice President for Communication and External Affairs)

Mar. 29, 2025 - For the second time this season, the North Central College men's volleyball team was downed by the Loras College Duhawks, this time losing on the road in Dubuque, IA in straight sets, 3-0.

In the opening set, the Duhawks surged to a 7-3 lead after tallying five consecutive points, but a stretch that included kills by Carson Steinbach, BK Bartlett, Mitchell Hester, and Jeffrey McEachern knotted the score at 10 points apiece.

The Duhawks scored seven of the next nine points to reclaim momentum and a 17-12 lead. Led by Tyler Donovan's two kills, the Cardinals scored five of the next seven points, closing the gap to 19-17, but North Central could not take the lead. Two attack errors and one service error by the Cardinals, and two kills by the Duhawks' Corey Mayotte secured the 25-22 victory for Loras.

In the second set, the Duhawks jumped to a 10-6 lead. Back-to-back kills by Steinbach and a Duhawks setting error brought the Cardinals to within one. Managing to stay in the lead, Loras scored seven of the next nine points for a 17-12 margin. Later in the set, a kill by Steinbach pulled the Cardinals within one at 21-20, but three Cardinal attack errors and a kill by Mayotte put Loras on top 25-20.

The Cardinals were able to stay close early in the third set, trailing 9-7, but the Duhawks scored nine of the next 11 points to double up the Cardinals 18-9 and take control. Kills by Bartlett, Steinbach, and Cooper Lundal pushed North Central into double digits. Mayotte had back-to-back kills to close the set 25-14 and complete the Duhawks sweep.

In the match, the Duhawks outhit the Cardinals .451 to .159. Donovan led the Cardinals with 26 assists. Bartlett and Steinbach recorded 11 kills each, and Danny Smithers collected nine digs. Mayotte led the Duhawks with 21 kills. North Central's record moves to 13-6, and 5-3 in the CCIW. Loras is now 15-4 and 6-2 in the CCIW.

The Cardinals travel to Rock Island, IL on Wednesday, April 2, for a 7 p.m. first serve against the Augustana Vikings.

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.