North Park University’s Vikings Extend Win Streak to Six with Sweep of Benedictine
The NPU women’s volleyball team stayed hot with yet another sweep, this time coming against the Eagles of Benedictine. This is North Park’s fifth sweep in six matches, taking 18 of 19 sets in that timeframe.
Set 1 was dominated by the Vikings from start to finish, who ultimately won by a score of 25-16. Christina Gatta opened up the match with a smooth run of service to rack up an early 5-0 lead that Benedictine was never able to bounce back from. Gatta not only opened the set, but she would close it out too with a kill off an assist courtesy of Jenna Jones.
The Eagles found their footing in Set 2, going up by as much as 5 points early in the set. However, they once again had no answer for Christina Gatta who rattled off 7 straight serves to give the Vikings a 16-11 lead. Benedictine’s Addie McConnaughhay answered back with a run of her own though, and the Eagles carried that momentum to tie up the match at 22-22. Kailyn Matthews came through with a crucial kill to give specialist Katy Chess the serve, and Chess one-upped her teammate with an ace to make it 24-22 Vikings. The duo then combined to finish off Set 2, with Chess setting up Matthews to capitalize on the endgame.
Set 3 was a back-and-forth affair early, but the Eagles quickly pulled away with a 14-8 advantage. North Park rallied back little by little, eventually getting back within 3 points at a score of 17-14. Adriana Rodriguez, who entered the night as D3’s leader in kills, did more of the same and earned herself the chance to serve in the process. She would be the last player on either side to take up that role, sending off the Eagles with 10 straight serves that included 3 aces.
Rodriguez had a monstrous night, leading NPU in kills (16), digs (13), and aces (5). Christina Gattapaced the Vikings with 26 assists, while Rhianna Huebner picked up the lone block of the night for North Park.
What’s Next?
North Park’s next opponent represents their first CCIW matchup of the 2022 season. The Vikings take on Carthage Friday, September 17 at home at 6:00 P.M
