North Park Women’s Volleyball Team Keeps Winning Streak Alive
In Lisle, Illinois, the North Park University Women’s Volleyball Team celebrated its sixth straight victory with a convincing 3-0 win over Benedictine University. The set scores were 25-18, 25-16, and 25-22, bringing their record to 12-2.
The match started strong for the Vikings. Senior outside hitter Shamyia Collier led the charge, scoring the first point and multiple kills early on. After an early tie at 3-3, North Park surged ahead thanks to Benedictine’s attack errors and a service ace from freshman Tessa Wabiszewski. Junior Meg Rothermel added two quick kills, and senior Kharlie Simeona-French ended the first set with another kill and an ace.
In the second set, North Park quickly established a 9-1 lead with contributions from Riana Hayes, Simeona-French, and Rothermel. The Vikings’ defense, featuring senior libero Carolina Aviles, stifled Benedictine’s efforts. Collier was again impressive, adding more kills, while sophomore Payton Smith wrapped up the set with a strong finish, leading to a 25-16 win.
The third set proved more competitive. There were 10 ties and six lead changes as Benedictine fought to stay in the game. North Park relied on its depth, with Ivy Newville and Smith making crucial contributions. With the score knotted at 19, North Park surged ahead, capped off by a powerful kill from Simeona-French, finalizing the match at 25-22.
Throughout the game, North Park utilized 16 different players, with 10 scoring points. Despite Benedictine’s blocking prowess, recording 10 in three sets, the Vikings’ offensive firepower, with 43 total kills, overwhelmed the opposition.
Insights and Stats
A Powerful Team Effort: Coach’s strategies paid off as North Park’s diverse player rotation kept the pressure on their opponents. In team sports, balancing attack and defense is key, and the Vikings excelled in both departments.
Recent Trends: According to the NCAA, teams that rotate their lineups effectively have a higher chance of success during the season. It seems North Park’s approach aligns well with this strategy.
What’s Next
North Park, now 12-2 overall and 1-0 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), is set to continue its momentum this Saturday at the Calvin Invite. They will face off against Heidelberg University (9-4) at 11:30 AM ET and later Cornell College (3-5) at 2:00 PM ET.
For those interested in following collegiate volleyball trends, the NCAA’s recent reports highlight the increasing competitiveness in women’s volleyball, making every match a showcase of talent and strategy.
Keep an eye on North Park; they seem poised for an exciting season ahead!