Minneapolis, Minn.-- The North Central University Volleyball team dropped a pair of conference games on Saturday as they lost to Northland College (Ashland, Wisc.) 3-2, and the University of Northwestern- Saint Paul 3-0.

The Rams (5-14, 1-9) brought Northland (2-13, 1-8) to a fifth set after sophomore Karlee Huber (Rapid City, S.D. / Dakota Wesleyan Univ.) sealed the fourth set with a pair of kills for the final two points. Huber posted a career-high 19 kills in the match to go along with two service aces and 16 digs. Unfortunately, Karlee suffered an injury early in the fifth set that seemed to kill the momentum for North Central as they lost the final set 15-7.

Sophomore Elissa Pheneger (Roseville, Minn / Concordia Academy) had 41 assists in the loss to go along with 14 digs and two kills. Libero Whitney Reames (Vassar, Mich. / Vassar) had a strong defensive effort as she recorded 33 digs.

On the offensive end, the Rams were led by seven kills a piece from junior Karlee Cox (Des Moines, Iowa / Saydel) and freshman Ashley Kelzer (Mayer, Minn. / Watertown-Mayer). Freshman Maddie Saice (Apple Valley, Minn. / Apple Valley) added six kills of her own to go along with five service aces.

In the second match of the day, North Central took on the Eagles of Northwestern (16-7, 10-0) who were undefeated in conference play. The Eagles won the match 3-0.

NCU was led by Saice who had a team-high six kills in the contest, while recording a service ace, assist, and four digs. Kelzer and freshman Sarah Hundeby (Elbow, Saskatchewan / Caronport) added five kills as the Rams struggled to fill the void of the injured Huber. Hundeby also included a solo block in the loss.

North Central continues play this Friday as they compete in the Mount Mary Triangular to take on Finlandia University (Hancock, Mich.) and Mount Mary University (Milwaukee, Wisc.).