> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thebackrowvb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# North Central College tops Whittier College, 3-1
- URL: https://www.thebackrowvb.com/north-central-college-tops-whittier-college-3-1/
- Published: 2026-09-05T22:48:32.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-05T22:48:32.000Z
- Author: Aaron Claessens

North Central defeated Whittier 3-1 (27-25, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22) on September 5, 2026, at Roberts Pavilion in Claremont, California, to improve to 2-1 on the season.

The Cardinals held a decisive edge in attack efficiency, hitting .238 as a team compared to Whittier's .173\. The gap was sharpest in Set 2, where North Central hit .333 while the Poets managed just .154 en route to a lopsided 25-14 win. Whittier's blocking unit was notably active — the Poets finished with eight blocks to North Central's four — but it wasn't enough to offset a nine-kill deficit on the night. Both teams matched each other exactly with eight aces apiece, and the dig totals were nearly even at 61-62.

Ava Hoff paced North Central with 15 kills on a .278 clip and added 11 digs for a strong all-around night. Lauren Benson posted 14 kills at a sterling .542 percentage, and setter Sarah Harvey orchestrated the offense with 46 assists while chipping in two aces and 11 digs. For Whittier, Malena The led all players with 12 kills and a match-high 19 digs, and Chianti Raddavero added 10 kills on a .400 clip.

Yanizza Gutierrez closed out Set 3 for Whittier with back-to-back service aces to push the Poets to a 25-22 win and force a fourth set.

The win moves North Central to 2-1 on the season.

Box score: [https://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2026/whittier-college/boxscore/16897](https://northcentralcardinals.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2026/whittier-college/boxscore/16897?ref=thebackrowvb.com)