DUBUQUE, Iowa – The second-seeded Loras College men's volleyball team swept the No. 3 seed, North Central College, in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Semifinals on Wednesday night inside the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center.

In the first set, Loras (18-4, 8-2 CCIW) jumped out to an early 5-3 lead before the Cardinals went up 10-8. Neither team led by more than three points for the remainder of the set, until back-to-back kills from Corey Mayotte and Nolan Krygsheld sealed the first set for the Duhawks by a score of 25-21.

After erasing an early 2-0 deficit, the Duhawks tied the second set at 5-5 following a kill from Krygsheld. The Duhawks dominated the rest of the second set, leading by as many as eight points, ultimately taking the set, 25-20.

A block by Elijah Passey and Roman Rothermel put the Duhawks up 7-4 early in the third set, until the Cardinals used a 6-0 run to build a lead as large as 11-8. The Duhawks held a 19-15 lead late in the set, but the Cardinals fought back to tie the game at 21-21. Consecutive kills by Mayotte sealed the 25-23 set three victory for the Duhawks. 

Mayotte led all players with 19 kills, while Krygsheld delivered an all-around performance, finishing with seven kills, three service aces, and 11 digs. Evan Dzaidkowiecz tallied 37 assists to go along with four blocks and six digs. The Duhawks hit .270, which featured 42 kills and 15 errors in 100 attempts.

Carson Steinbach led the Cardinals offense with 12 kills. Tyler Donovan totaled 26 assists, six blocks, and seven digs, while Cooper Lundal registered seven kills, six blocks, and two digs. The Cardinals hit .211, finishing with 35 kills and 16 errors in 90 attempts.

Up Next: The Duhawks travel to Kenosha, Wis. to take on the top-seeded Carthage College Firebirds in the CCIW Championship on Saturday, April 12. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Tarble Arena.