CHICAGO, Ill. – Carroll University women's volleyball opened strong but couldn't sustain momentum in a 3-1 loss to North Park on Friday night at North Park Gymnasium. The Pioneers claimed the first set 25-22 before the Vikings responded with three straight wins (10-25, 22-25, 16-25) to close out the match.

Carroll (7-7, 0-3 CCIW) came out sharp in the opening frame, hitting .310 as Bronwyn Rowse and Carly Hicklin combined for seven kills to fuel an early lead. The Pioneers capitalized on timely blocks and a pair of service aces from Payton Depies to secure the set.

North Park (15-2, 2-0) flipped the script in the second, using a dominant .385 hitting percentage and a 7-0 run to seize control. Despite Carroll's defensive efforts, the Vikings' balanced attack proved difficult to contain, led by Shamyia Collier's 19 kills and Meg Rothermel's .478 hitting clip.

Rowse paced Carroll with nine kills and three blocks, while Audrey Rosenbaum added seven kills and eight points. Hicklin chipped in six kills and a team-high 6.5 points. Depies directed the offense with 20 assists and contributed three service aces. Defensively, libero Maggie McGough anchored the back row with 10 digs.

The Pioneers will look to regroup for tomorrow as they play two matches in Lisle, Ill. as they take part in the Benedictine Triangular against St. Norbert followed by Benedictine.