ASHLAND, Wis.-- North Central University Women's Volleyball traveled to Northland College for a triangular match on Saturday morning. The Rams split the two matches including a 3-1 loss to Northland College and a 3-1 victory over Finlandia University. The win over Finlandia gave the Rams their first win of the season.

North Central (1-12, 0-2) was defeated 3-1 by the host Northland College in first match of the day which was also was the second Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) match of the season for the Rams. NCU lost the first two sets 25-13 and 25-16 before taking the third set 25-23. After falling behind 9-3 in the fourth set the Rams were able to get back to within 11-7 before a four point swing for the Lumberjills was enough momentum to eventually gain a 25-14 win.

Senior Mariah Simonson (Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazzepa) led NCU with 9 kills, 2 blocks and a block assist. Sophomore Veronica Parks (Lakeville, Minn./Apple Valley) recorded a team high 18 digs.

The second match of the season placed NCU up against NCAA Division III independent Finlandia University (Hancock, Mich.). The Rams led the first set just 17-14 but a five point run by NCU would hold up for a 25-17 win. The Lions were able to earn a 25-18 second set win and draw the match even.

NCU would respond by jumping out to a 14-7 lead in set three to take control of the match. The Lions would get to within 23-18 before a kill from senior Anna Bird (Bloomington, Minn./Homeschool) and freshman Sarah Trickey (Waseca, Minn./Waseca) would clinch the 25-18 win.

In game four, with a chance for their first win of the season, the Rams played some of their best volleyball of the year to close out the match. With the score at 22-20 freshman Karlee Cox (Des Moines, Iowa/Saydel) got the Rams a big point before Sarah Trickey closed out the match with two of her own in the best performance of her young NCU career. The 25-20 win is the first of the year for NCU.

Mariah Simonson recored 15 kills and a match high 22 digs. Sarah Trickey recorded 12 kills to equal her career best after 13 games in an NCU uniform. Freshman Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) recorded seven kills and two aces.

The Rams will be back in action for their next to last non-conference match of the year when they travel to Macalester College (St. Paul, Minn.) of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference on Tuesday. The Rams and Scots will tip off at 7 p.m.