KENOSHA, Wis.  — The No. 4 Carthage College men's volleyball team opened up conference play with a 3-2 win over North Park on Saturday afternoon. 

• Final score: Carthage 3 - North Park 2
• Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin - Tarble Arena
• Records: No. 4 Carthage 8-3 (1-0 CCIW), North Park 6-1 (0-1 CCIW)

 
 

• Carthage went ahead 9-5 in the first set with a kill from Drew Jansen. 
• Later, back-to-back kills from David Markes and Carter Schmidt pushed the lead to 18-13 as the Firebirds won the set 25-20. 
• Another Markes kill in the second moved the home team ahead 12-7. 
• Two-consecutive kills from Jansen and Markes saw the Firebirds go in front 22-17. 
• Carthage took a two-set lead off a Vikings attack error 25-18. 
• North Park battled back in the third, tying it at 19. 
• Following a kill from Markes, the Vikings won the set off a service error and block. 
• With momentum on their side, North Park controlled a five-point margin. 
• Although three straight kills from Schmidt and Kyle Radecki shrunk the lead to one, North Park forced a fifth 25-22. 
• It was all Carthage in the fifth; three blocks from Ryan Cholewinski, and David Markes sparked an 11-4 advantage. 
• The Firebirds ended the match with a 5-1 run for the victory.

• Zach Bulthuis led the Firebirds with 15 kills, followed closely by Carter Schmidt and Kyle Radecki with 13. 
• For the fourth time this season, Gene McNulty tallied 40 or more assists, finishing with 46 on the day. 
• Jack McDonald had a team-best 15 digs, while Ryan Cholewinski led the team in total blocks with three. 

"What a battle today. North Park was great today and was so gritty throughout the match. Credit to them for responding in set three. I am proud of our group for their response in set 5! Hitting .800 and blocking three balls was massive for us to earn a win.

Ryan Cholewinski blocked two balls in set five, which got this team fired. I am so proud of him and his work ethic. He is always ready for a moment and is the greatest teammate daily. I couldn't be more proud of him and how he is ready to make an impact in every moment. I also thought Ryan Morey and Michael Yemm were incredible in their time on the court off the bench. We got some massive lifts from our younger guys, and I am so happy they are always ready to make an impact.

This team continues to battle and find ways to win. I am so proud of their belief in each other, no matter who is on the court."

 

• Carthage stays at home, returning to non-conference play facing Concordia (Wis.) on Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m.