MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Sophomore Joslynn Perala had back-to-back double-digit kill matches as the Finlandia University volleyball team (2-18) split at the NCU Tri-Meet, Friday night at Clark Danielson Gym.

Crown (2-19) – W, 3-0 (26-24, 25-14, 25-21)

In set one, Finlandia had a lead of at least four points, five times. Each time, Crown came storming back.

The Lions were up 23-20 before the Polars scored three straight points to tie at 23-23. After trading points, Crown had a serve error. Sophomore Anna Navarro notched an ace to end the set.

In the second set, FinnU was in control with a 14-7 lead. The Polars went on a 5-1 run to close to 15-12. Freshman Avani Gill smacked the ball home to start a run of five straight points to seal the set.

In the third set, Finlandia and Crown went back and forth until 22-20. The Lions forced an error and got an ace from Navarro to make it 24-20. Following a crown kill, Gill smashed it off the block to finish the match.

For Finlandia, Perala had 17 kills and hit .297 while freshman Elli Djerf had 12 kills, three aces and hit .348. Navarro had 29 assists and three aces.

For Crown, Sage Johnston had 10 digs.

North Central (14-7) – L, 3-0 (25-24, 25-22, 25-16)

In the first set, Finlandia and North Central went to war the entire way. The Lions forced an error to tie it at 24-24. The Rams then recorded a kill and block to end the skirmish.

In the second set, FinnU was in control with a 15-10 lead. NCU chipped away and at 21-19, scored five straight to effectively take the set.

In the third set, Perala found the back corner to put Finlandia up 11-10. North Central came back with a 7-2 burst to take control for good.

For Finlandia, Perala had 12 kills and 14 digs. Djerf had 16 digs and freshman Taryn Orn had 13 digs.

For North Central, Hailey Lerfald had 10 kills and Grace Brigson registered 14 digs.

Up next

Finlandia sticks to the road, Tuesday, Oct. 25, playing Bay College. The match is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.