Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ASHLAND, Wis. -- After a week to prepare, the North Central University (NCU) volleyball team traveled to Wisconsin to compete in the Northland Triangular. First, the Rams took on Lions from Finlandia University (FU). This game went to five sets in which the Lions won (21-25, 25-19, 17-25, 25-16, 15-7). Immediately after, NCU took the victory in their second game against their host, Northland College (NC), winning three sets to one (25-16, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20).

Game #1 Recap

The long drive for the Rams didn't seem to affect their energy and spirit as they won the first game over the Lions. As the game went on, the teams traded games, forcing a fifth set. The big players on the net for NCU were Emily DiGiorgio (Ironwood, MI, Luther L. Wright High School) and Makayla Krohnberg (Blaine, MN, Blaine High School) who had 15 kills and 13 respectively. DiGiorgio also helped on the defensive end on the net with four blocks along with Bria Reiser (Berlin, WI, Berlin High School) with four. Libero Hannah Fischer (Kenyon, MN, Kenyon Wanamingo High School) was all over the court getting 22 digs, not letting the Lions score. Alexandria Taylor (Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Lutheran High School) also was helpful in the backline with 19 digs. The fifth set was very intense resulting in many momentum changes. FU ultimately won the fifth set despite a great display of talent and heart from the Rams.

Game #2 Recap

Despite the energy spent in the first game, the Rams really turned it up in their second game of the night, playing a solid four sets. Specifically in the first set, NCU had a phenomenal .333 hitting percentage. Freshman Hailey Lerfald (Wanamingo, MN, Kenyon-Wanamingo High School) was essential in getting that percentage with 15 kills and eight blocks, which is a career high for Lerfald in both categories. Following her was senior DiGiorgio with 11 kills. After the Rams won the first two sets, NC came back to win the third. However, the Jills didn't have enough in the tank to defeat the superior NCU team. Grace Brigson's (West Salem, WI, West Salem High School) 40 assists and Fischer's 22 digs aided in the victory and the Rams took the fourth set easily from the Jills. 

Key Performers

• Emily DiGiorgio had a total of 26 kills in two games.
• Senior Hannah Fischer had 22 digs in each game. She also had three aces in the NC game.
• NCU's main setter, Grace Brigson, had 69 nice assists total for both games.

Looking Ahead

NCU spend the night in Wisconsin as they face the University of Wisconsin Superior for an Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) game at 1 pm. All fans are encouraged to tune into official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on the volleyball team and more important information.