Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (Nov. 4, 2026) - Returning to College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play, the North Central College women's volleyball team could not overcome a hot start from the Augustana College Vikings, who claimed a 25-15, 25-23, 25-21 victory Wednesday night inside the Carver Center.
After a back-and-forth start to the opening set, a 5-0 swing from the Vikings put the hosts ahead, 11-5. Sarah Harvey set up Abby Buban, sparking a four-point run for the Cardinals and forcing an Augustana timeout. After a 5-1 rally by the Vikings, Lauren Benson's kill halted the run to keep the Cardinals within striking distance, 19-13. Augustana scored five of the set's final six points to claim a 25-15 victory.
A kill from Giada Schrementi put North Central in front in the second set, 6-5. The teams traded points as Ava Hoff and Benson kept the Cardinals within reach, trailing 14-11. The Vikings took a six-point advantage, forcing a timeout. A kill from Hoff opened a 6-2 run, highlighted by a Jordan Surber kill and a Katie Godo ace. Following a Vikings timeout, Harvey set up Benson, who tied the contest at 22-22. After each team scored, Augustana notched the final two points to secure a tight 25-23 win in set two.
Katie Godo set up Harvey for a kill as the Cardinals took a 7-5 edge in the third set. Augustana pulled ahead before an ace from Hoff evened the contest at 13-13. Out of a Vikings timeout, Benson's kill highlighted the 6-0 run for North Central, giving the visitors a 16-13 lead. Augustana answered with four straight points to take an 18-17 lead. The 7-1 rally down the stretch led to a 25-21 victory in the third set.
Benson and Hoff paced the Cardinals with eight kills each. Harvey led the squad with 23 assists and eight digs over the three sets. North Central hit .011 on the night, while the Vikings hit .179.
North Central turns the page to its regular season finale Friday evening, visiting Elmhurst University for a 7 p.m. first serve inside R.A. Faganel Hall. The teams have split the past two contests, each winning on the road.
