Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
Sept. 24, 2025 - Remaining perfect inside Gregory Arena, the North Central College women's volleyball team defeated No. 25 Carthage College for the first time since 2001 with a 3-1 victory to improve to 2-0 in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play.
A kill from Abranet Layne kicked off the scoring in the opening set as the Cardinals jumped out to a 10-3 lead to begin the contest. The Firebirds battled back, within two before a 9-1 run from North Central, highlighted by four Danni Moser kills, put the hosts up by double-digits, 19-9. A Carthage attack error solidified a set one win for the Cardinals, 25-14.
After the Firebirds opened the second set with a 7-2 advantage, an ace from Lauren Benson capped off a 5-1 rally that evened the frame at 11-11. Both teams traded points as an ace from Katie Godo knotted the set at 17-17. The Firebirds scored the final four points of set two to take a 25-23 win and even the match at 1-1.
After back-and-forth action to begin the third set, a block from Layne and Abby Buban put the Cardinals ahead by three, 13-10. A four-point swing featuring a kill from Benson and an ace from Demi Carpio gave North Central a 20-14 edge. The Firebirds fought back to even the set at 24-24. Kills from Buban and Benson secured a 26-24 win for the Cardinals.
More back-and-forth action continued as a kill from Layne tied the fourth set at 5-5. Neither team led by more than two points until the final stretch as kills from Benson and Layne put North Central ahead by two, 19-17. The Cardinals closed out the set with a 6-0 run as Layne sent home the final two kills to clinch a 25-19 victory over Carthage.
North Central has now won four straight matches against ranked competition with the victory over No. 25 Firebirds. In total, the Cardinals hit .229 while holding Carthage to a .073 mark. Layne led all players with 16 kills as Harvey dished out 43 assists on the night. Benson tallied five blocks with Aleesa Zebold recording 15 digs.
The Cardinals head to Indiana Saturday to face St. Mary's College (Ind.) and Manchester University in a triangular. First serve inside Stauffer-Wolfe Arena is set for 3:30 p.m. (ET) against the Belles. The match against the host Spartans is scheduled for 6 p.m. (ET).
