Ankeny, Iowa-- The North Central University Volleyball team dropped a pair of games to start pool play at the Spikefest Tournament in Ankeny, Iowa on Friday.

The Rams (1-2) opened the tournament against the Sabercats from Maranatha Baptist University (Watertown, Wisc.). The Sabercats (1-0) won the match 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-12).

North Central was led by junior Karlee Huber (Rapid City, S.D./Dakota Wesleyan Univ.) who posted a team-high five kills in the match on nine total attacks (.056 K%). 

The Rams had strong defensive perfomances from senior Whitney Reames (Vassar, Mich./Vassar) who led the team with six digs in the contest. Sophomore Hannah Zarnke (Marshfield, Wis./Columbus) had four digs in the match, and junior Elissa Pheneger (Roseville, Minn/Concordia Academy) recorded five digs to go along with a team-high 14 assists.

In match number two, North Central (1-3) took on the Thunder from Manhattan Christian College (Manhattan, Kansas). 

The Rams were able to over power the Thunder in set number one as they used 12 kills to win 25-19, but Manhattan was able to win the next three sets to win the match 3-1 (19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 32-30).

Set number four was a thriller, as the teams battled back-and-forth. With the Rams down 23-24, Manhattan served one into the net to tie up the set. The teams continued to alternate points, as the Rams received important kills from Huber, sophomore Ashley Kelzer (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer), and junior Katie Strand (Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo) before dropping the set 30-32.

Huber was all over the court against the Thunder, as she recorded a game-high 24 digs to go with eight kills and five service aces. Pheneger continued to set up her teammates as she posted a season-high 46 assists in four sets, and also had six aces of her own. Strand led the Rams with 13 kills on 31 total attempts for a hitting percentage of .290.

Senior Karlee Cox (Des Moines, Iowa/Saydel) played a strong offensive game in the match as she recorded 11 kills in the contest, and Kelzer posted nine kills of her own.

Overall, the Rams had 51 kills against Manhattan with 24 errors on 166 total attempts (.163 K%).

North Central continues play at the Spikefest Tournament on Saturday as they take on Hillsdale Baptist College (Moore, Oklahoma) at 11 a.m.