Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
Naperville, Ill. (Nov. 9) – The North Central College Cardinals begin their pursuit of a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament title this evening. North Central enters the tournament with a 9-12 overall record and a 3-5 mark in conference play, earning the No. 6 seed.
A Dish Best Served Cold
The Cardinals open tournament play against the Elmhurst University Blue Jays, a familiar foe. The two teams most recently met in a tightly contested five-set match that ended in an Elmhurst victory. North Central's last win over the Bluejays came in 2024, also in five sets.
Recent history suggests another close battle. Five of the last six meetings between the two programs have gone the distance, with each match requiring a decisive fifth set.
Player Spotlight
Two-time CCIW Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Week and 2
nd Team All-CCIW honoree,
Sarah Harvey has been one of the conference's premier setters this season. Harvey leads the CCIW with 9.17 assists per set, well ahead of the next closest player at 8.43.
Her playmaking has helped fuel strong seasons from
Abby Buban and
Ava Hoff. Buban ranks third in the conference with 3.32 kills per set, while Hoff sits seventh at 2.69. Buban also leads the CCIW in attacks per set at 11.11.
Hoff has excelled from the service line as well, tying for first in the conference with 0.46 service aces per set.
Katie Godo also ranks among the league leaders, tied for eighth with 0.40 aces per set.
North Central places three players among the CCIW's top 10 in points per set: Buban (3.62), Hoff (3.27), and
Lauren Benson (3.12).
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals travel to R.A. Faganel Hall for their tournament rematch against Elmhurst. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
