MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — North Central (MN) volleyball hosted a triangular Saturday at Clark-Danielson Gymnasium, opening with a sweep of Free Lutheran before dropping the nightcap to Faith Baptist. The split moves the Rams to 1-2 overall on the season and 0-0 in UMAC play.
NCU vs FREE LUTHERAN
North Central opened the day with a 3-0 win (25-23, 25-23, 25-16) over Free Lutheran in front of 110 fans. The Rams had to grind through two tight sets — six ties in the first, nine in the second — before pulling away in the third behind a .382 hitting clip. North Central out-hit Free Lutheran .229 to .184 for the match and finished with a 40-30 edge in kills.
Gabbie Ruzek led the way with 10 kills on a match-best .444 hitting percentage. Abby Rhoades turned in a well-rounded outing with 7 kills, 13 assists and 8 digs, while Autumn Kaczmarek added 9 kills and a team-high 11 digs. Setter Tatum Olson finished with 13 assists, and the Rams' defense combined for 42 digs and 12 service aces on the day.
NCU vs FAITH BAPTIST
North Central couldn't complete the sweep in the nightcap, falling 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-21) to Faith Baptist Bible College. The Eagles controlled the first two sets, hitting .278 and .290 respectively, before North Central tightened things up in the third, trading five ties and two lead changes in a 25-21 finish that was the Rams' most competitive stretch of the match.
Rhoades performed well for the Rams with 6 kills, 9 assists and a team-high 12 digs. Kaczmarek and Ruzek each worked through a tough hitting night against a well-positioned Eagles block. Allina Mendoza led the back row with 11 digs.
UP NEXT
The Rams are on the road vs Hamline University next Wednesday. That game will begin at 7:00 PM on September 9th.
