MANKATO, Minn. -- With their final match of the 2019 season on the horizon, the North Central University (NCU) volleyball team made the trip out to visit the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in another UMAC showdown. In hopes of ending their campaign on a high note, the Rams were unable to steal a set from BLC in NCU's three sets to zero loss.

Game Recap

Even though the Rams did not have UMAC playoffs within reach during this final match, they still had a lot to play for in terms of giving themselves something to build off of heading into next year. Looking to end the season with a win, the Rams came into the night looking to make some noise against a much-improved Vikings volleyball team. The first set boasted as the premier one for the Rams. They were able to work their way up to 18 points in the set against a quick backcourt for the Vikings. NCU did their best to turn the match's momentum their way, but the Vikings' offense ended up being too much for the Rams to handle. Although the Rams will end their season on a seven-match skid, they will take away the positives from this match which dropped them to their final 2019 record of 9-14 overall (1-7 UMAC).

Key Performer(s)

• The Richwoods High School product (Peoria, Ill.) Myah Womer recorded 9 assists and 4 kills. It was Womer's most impressive showing for the Rams thus far in her young collegiate volleyball career.

2019 Season Recap

The 2019 NCU volleyball season is one to remember. With multiple team and individual accolades highlighting the way, the Rams created a storyline for a remarkable campaign this year. An incredibly hot start to the season had the Rams sitting at a 3-0 record after a massive win against the Macalester College Scots. In addition to this, NCU volleyball repped a strong 9-7 record heading into UMAC play this season. With much success early on in the season, these records are a testament to the massive strides the Rams have made as a program, and overall tremendous upside they have moving forward. A versatile lineup that showcased strong play from the senior level, all the way down to freshmen getting their first taste of collegiate volleyball action, there is a lot to be said about the way NCU volleyball competed this year. All in all, a major stepping-stone for the future of NCU volleyball has been set in place and the Rams will look to build off of it heading into the next season.

Team and Individual Highlights

• Head Coach Faith Ooms' posted her coaching career-high in a single season with 9 wins on the year.
• A tremendous three-set comeback against MIAC affiliate, Macalester College Scots after being down 2-0 in the match to continue the Rams' undefeated season at a 3-0 record.
• Outside Hitter Hannah Fischer led the UMAC by a wide margin all season in service aces per set. The sure-handed lefty ended with an exceptional 0.79 service aces per set on the year, almost doubled compared to the rest of the field.
• Middle Blocker Emily DiGiorgio was the Rams' consistent threat at the net all year. The Ironwood, Michigan product recorded 225 total kills and maintained a top-ten UMAC placement with 2.68 kills per set and 0.6 blocks per set.
• Libero Hallie Fuglestad was fundamental in a variety of ways for the Rams in her freshman campaign. Fuglestad tallied 439 total digs to end as third overall in the UMAC with 5.23 digs per set. She even tied for second in the UMAC in aces per set (right behind Fischer) with 0.46.

Senior Spotlight

NCU volleyball will now officially say their goodbyes to two seniors, Rachel Beckman and Stephanie Caravalho.

Rachel Beckman. ends her career as an exceedingly vital setter for the Rams. Beckman racked up a total of 587 total assists in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and has shown what a major contributor she has been to the NCU volleyball program as a whole. Although her abilities of setting up her hitters along the net will not be returning next season, both Caravalho's and Beckman's leadership will prove as even more irreplaceable to the Rams' volleyball team moving forward.

2020 Season Outlook

NCU volleyball is bound to make some noise heading into the 2020 season. With five of the six players in the Rams' starting rotation set to return, NCU volleyball is excited to welcome back Emily DiGiorgio, Hannah Fischer, and Hallie Fuglestad.  All three were fundamental to the Rams' success this past season, and each led the team in a statistical category while also posting top-ten UMAC statistical placements. In addition to some forecasted added recruits in the fall 2020 class, players such as Cydonia Rue, Myah Womer and Alannah Easter will aim to make an even greater impact for the Rams next season after breaking the ice with their freshman seasons. As the entertaining and exciting 2019 season is officially wrapped up, we are already looking forward to seeing this Rams volleyball squad back in action next season.