ANKENY, Iowa -- NCU started off their tournament with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-16) loss to Grace University (Omaha, NE). Sophomore Jamie High (Buffalo, MN) led the Rams with eight kills while freshman setter Elissa Pheneger (Roseville, MN) led the team with 21 assists and helped solidify the Rams frontline attack.

Game two on Friday was a match-up against Faith Baptist Bible College (Ankeny, IA) and the Rams loss a close game 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-18). Sophomore Sarah Trickey (Waseca, MN) and Jamie High led NCU with seven kills each.

Saturday morning featured an early  tilt against Maranatha Baptist Bible College (Watertown, Wisconsin). Maranatha was last years National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) runner-up at the National Championships. NCU lost to the Crusaders 3-0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-8). Jamie High led the Rams with six kills while junior Veronica Parks (Lakeville, MN) led the team with ten digs in the contest.

The Rams finished their tournament with a 3-0 (25-21, 21-15, 21-12) loss to AIB Buisness College (Des Moines, Iowa). Sarah Trickey led the way for NCU with 11 kills and Elissa Pheneger had 22 assists in the match.

Overall, the Rams showed great improvement from 2012 as many of their returning players are playing a prominent role in the new year. Newcomer, Elissa Pheneger, averaged 5.58 assists per set during the Spikefest Tournament as she proves to be the setter the Rams need to continue improving in 2013.

North Central will kick off their home schedule on Tuesday as the play host to St. Catherine University at 7 p.m. in the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium.