LISLE, ILL. – The Edgewood College Eagles headed south in control of their own destiny for at least a share of the regular season Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) crown and the top overall seed Wednesday. They faced off with the Benedictine Eagles in their final regular season match. Edgewood College (21-9, 12-1 NACC) clinched a share of the regular season title and the top seed in the postseason tournament, rallying for a 3-1 (14-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-23) victory against Benedictine (12-14, 8-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The hosts dominated the first set. Benedictine put together a 14-1 start to the opening frame and never looked back. They outhit Edgewood College .269 to -.028.
- Benedictine errors helped Edgewood College to a 5-1 advantage as the winds began to shift in set two. The visitors' offense got into the swing of things as Edgewood College added on another 5-1 rally for a 12-5 tally. Benedictine stormed back on an 8-2 rally to close within 17-16, but seven points straight from Edgewood College would all but even the match 1-1.
- After Edgewood College carved out an 8-4 advantage, Benedictine claimed a 12-9 edge as Edgewood College struggled with mistakes. Edgewood College stormed back, flying high on a 13-3 burst. Benedictine stormed back to force extra points, propelled to a 25-24 lead off of a 10-2 sprint. A service error from the hosts would prove to be costly, as Edgewood College followed it up with a block and a kill to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
- The squads wrestled for control of the fourth set early. Edgewood College carved out a key 10-3 run as they put themselves in a commanding 15-9 position. The hosts would not go quietly, going on a 10-4 sprint to close within 22-20. Benedictine would close the gap even further to 24-23 with three straight points, but
Abigail Hoffmann clinched the set, match, and crown for Edgewood College.
- Hoffmann excelled in the match with a 19-kill, 17-assist double-double. She hit .292 on 48 attempts and added in eight digs, three blocks, and two aces.
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Cassidy Spies contributed heavily on offense and defense, posting a 23-dig, 10-kill double-double.
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Abbey Eivins earned 28 assists and 12 digs for yet another double-double on the night.
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Abbey Falk continued her strong play at the net, tallying four blocks.
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Mia Hinkamper anchored the back row with 30 digs.
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Payton Millin contributed three blocks, while
Katie Borchert added 10 kills and two aces.
- Olivia McPherson earned a 25-dig, 13-kill double-double for Benedictine. Kiara McPherson recorded 39 assists and 17 digs.
- Benedictine had an 11-to-7 advantage in blocks on the evening.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With the victory, Edgewood College clinched at least a share of the NACC regular season title and the top overall seed in the tournament for the second-straight season. The regular season title is their fifth as a member of the NACC (2012, 2013, 2015, 2023, 2024) and sixth since 1991 (1996).
- Spies' 23 digs and Hinkamper's 30 were both personal bests at Edgewood College.
- Hoffmann's 19 kills were a single match season best.
- Falk's 149 blocks on the season are her personal best. The tally is second-best on the season record books, trailing only Mandie Armstrong (1996) and her 178.
UP NEXT
Edgewood College will host a NACC Tournament Quarterfinal next Tuesday at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. First serve is to be announced and their opponent is to be decided.
