Ashland, WI -

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

The LumberJill volleyball team hosted a conference triangular today, hosting Upper Midwest Athletic Conference opponents Martin Luther College and North Central University.

Game 1 saw the Jills face off against Martin Luther College. The Jills got off to a slow start in set 1, but would battle back to cut the Knights' lead down to 1. However, Martin Luther College would take set 1 25-19. The Jills would fall behind early in set 2 and struggle to cut into the Knights' lead. However, the Jill offense would come alive late in the set, but they would ultimately drop the set 25-17. Set 3 saw the Jills battle early and keep the game close, but the Knights would go on to score 8 consecutive points to win set 3 25-12, and take the match.

Senior Camille Eastburn led the Jills with 6 kills, while Sophomore Vivienne Kallio finished the game with 5. Junior Hannah Hitchcock led in assists and digs with 12 and 11 respectively.

Game 2 would start off the same as game 1 when the Jills would fall behind 6-0 early in the set. Northland would have a hard time getting their offense going as North Central University took the first set 25-15. Set 2 would be a different story as the Jills would put it all together and jump out to a 9-0 lead. Northland wouldn't look back, taking set 2 25-14. Set 3 would start off as a back and forth battle as both teams would trade leads multiple times. However, Northland would come out on top and take the set 25-16. In what would be the final set of the night the Jills came out firing on all cylinders as they would once again jump out to a 6-0 lead. The Rams wouldn't go easy though as they would come back to tie the set 17-17. The tie wouldn't last long though as Northland pulled away to claim set 4 25-19 and end the night victoriously.

Freshman Justine Litherland recorded 18 kills in the game, as Seniors Bethany Best added 12 and Camille Eastburn finished with 11. Junior Hannah Hitchcock finished the game with 39 assists. Junior Caitlyn Severson led in digs with 26, while Hitchcock and Eastburn each had 14.

Head Coach Kim Falkenhagen commented on the day saying, "The team was a little shaky at first and didn't play their best match against Martin Luther, but came back against North Central and did a great job. Bethany Best, Hannah Hitchcock, and Caitlyn Severson really stepped up in that match, while combined with Camille Eastburn and Justine Litherland's consistency, really helped lead the way to the win. I am very proud of the performance of the team against North Central."

Northland will be back in action 9/27 against Crown College and Bethany Lutheran College in St. Bonifacius, MN. Game 1 is scheduled for a 3pm start.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution, located in Ashland, Wisconsin. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 15 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association.