By Jami Sponaugle

Chicago, Ill. - The Illinois Tech women's volleyball team concluded their 2022 season on Saturday. In a five set contest, the Hawks fell to North Central College Cardinals 3-2 while on the road in non-conference play. 

How It Happened

• In the first set, the Cardinals came out with a 3-0 lead, but the Hawks turned the action around to take four straight points. The two sides fought to gain control, with the Cardinals leading most of the set. Near the end, the Hawks gained back their energy to fight their way back to take the lead. The Hawks took the final five points of the set to take a 25-23 set one victory. 

• Set two went in favor of the Cardinal's. Unable to keep up, the Hawks fell 25-12.

• In similar fashion to set two, the Hawks fell in set three to the Cardinals 25-12. 

• A back-and-forth battle took place in set four, with multiple ties throughout the set. Early on, the two sides were tied at 3-3 and then 4-4. The Hawks took a slight lead before the Cardinals tied it once again at 11-11. The two sides continued to remain tied through the remainder of the match until the Hawks were finally able to pull away at the very end to record a 27-25 set four victory. 

• After the Hawks tied set five early, the Cardinals began to slowly pull away. The Hawks stayed within reach, but were too late as the Cardinal secured a 15-11 set five victory. 

Scarlet Hawk Standouts 

• Zoe Michael finished with 13 kills and 61 total attacks. Michael provided 19 digs and one block assist. 

• Emily Graham provided 10 kills and 31 total attacks as well as 14 digs and one block assist.

• London Francis recorded 9 kills, 33 total attack, and 5 block assists.

• Stephanie Nguyen notched 19 digs.

2022 Recap

The Hawks wrap up the 2022 season with a 14-11 overall record and a 6-7 Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) record. 

For the season, Briar Moore led the team in kills, recording 218 (2.60 kills per set). Michael followed with 162 (2.16 kills per set). Sadie Harrington rounded out the top three in kills with 123 (1.54 kills per set). In total attacks, Moore finished with 759, Micheal finished with 490, and Maria Fernanda Alcantara followed with 334. Nguyen led the team in service aces with 33 on the season. Behind her was Allison Wilkins with 27. Moore and Grace Reckamp both picked up 22. Nguyen also led the team in digs, finishing with 293. Moore and Reckamp followed with 180 and 161 respectively. In total blocks, Jessica Weaver led with 49, Victoria Vann followed with 39, and Harrington finished with 38. 

Congratulations to the Hawks 3 seniors for their careers as Scarlet Hawks and their contributions to Illinois Tech both on and off the court: Weaver, Ellie Leach, and Wilkins. 

The Scarlet Hawks women's volleyball team will return back to action in 2023.