WAUKESHA, WI. - Carroll University women's volleyball picked up its first CCIW victory of the season Wednesday night, defeating North Central College in four sets inside Van Male Fieldhouse. The Pioneers improve to 10-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
The opening set went back and forth early, with North Central holding a 13-10 advantage before Carroll began to take control. The Pioneers responded with five straight points to grab a 15-13 lead. Later leading 20-16, Carroll closed the set with five consecutive points, capped off by an Ashley Miller service ace, to secure the 25-16 victory.
Carroll carried the momentum into the second set. After the teams traded points early, the Pioneers created separation and took a 15-11 lead. Miller then took over from the service line, recording three consecutive service aces to push the advantage to 18-11. North Central pulled within three late in the set, but Carroll held off the Cardinals for a 25-19 victory and a 2-0 match lead.
North Central jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the third set before Carroll worked its way back into the frame. The Pioneers eventually grabbed a 23-21 lead and reached set point at 24-22. The Cardinals wouldn't go down without a fight however, stealing the third set 26-24 to extend the match.
The fourth set saw North Central take an early 7-3 advantage before the Pioneers battled back. Carroll eventually took its first lead of the set at 14-13. The Cardinals pulled within one at 19-18, but Carroll responded by scoring six of the final eight points.
Carroll finished the match with 48 kills while hitting .200 as a team, adding 10 service aces, 71 digs and eight blocks. The Pioneers were particularly efficient in the second set, recording 11 kills without an attack error for a .333 hitting percentage.
Audrey Rosenbaum led the Pioneer attack with 13 kills on a .297 hitting percentage while adding two solo blocks. Kylie Wittnebel followed with 12 kills while hitting .381 and added three solo blocks. Lexi Proctor continued her strong all-around play with 10 kills, 16 assists and 13 digs for another triple-double, while Carly Hicklin recorded nine kills, 14 digs and four service aces. Miller finished with 18 assists, eight digs and a match-high six service aces.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, October 3, when they travel to Dubuque, Iowa, to take on Loras College.
