(Grand Rapids, MI) – Concordia volleyball traveled west to Aquinas on Wednesday night to play in a WHAC conference matchup. The Cardinals entered 9-10 overall (5-4 WHAC) while the Saints came in 14-10 (5-4 WHAC). The game required a fifth set to determine the winner, but CUAA held strong and claimed the 3-2 win.
Kayla Peters led the team with 19 kills. Abigail Austin had a team-high 47 assists. McKenzie Peters led the back end with 19 digs.
Set 1 – CUAA 25, AQ 14
Kayla Peters had Concordia's first kill of the game. The Cardinals took a 7-6 lead after back-to-back service aces from McKenzie Peters. Breann June notched a pair of kills and later added back-to-back aces as Concordia built up their lead. CUAA was able to secure a 25-14 victory in set 1.
Set 2 – AQ 25, CUAA 18
Kayla Peters had Concordia's first 3 kills in set 2. Breann June added 2 kills and an ace as the teams battled in a close set. McKenzie Peters chipped in an ace midway through the set, but Aquinas was able to pull away for a 25-18 win in set 2.
Set 3 – CUAA 25, AQ 22
Breann June started set 3 with an ace. Kayla Peters and Madalyn Lisman combined for an early block and Jessalyn Peavyhouse made a kill for a 6-4 lead. After a 15-15 tie, Aquinas attack errors helped the Cardinals to build a lead but the game would still be tied 20-20 later on. Breann June made 3 kills in a 5-2 run to close out set 3, making the winning kill for a 25-22 win.
Set 4 – AQ 25, CUAA 19
Madalyn Lisman had Concordia's first kill in set 4. The lead changed hands early on with Breann June and Kaitlin Veihl making kills to pace the Cardinal offense. Kayla Peters made 3 late kills to pull CUAA within a point with an 18-17 score. However, Aquinas secured a 25-19 win to force a 5th set.
Set 5 – CUAA 15, AQ 12
Kayla Peters capped off a 3-0 run with a kill in set 5, tipping the ball over the net to an open spot. Peters added back-to-back kills for a 7-4 lead, but Aquinas came back for a 7-7 tie.
McKenzie Peters put the Cardinals back ahead after she made a dig which flew all the way over the net to the back line. Breann June made 3 late kills and Kayla Peters clinched the game with the winning kill for the 15-12 set 5 win.
Concordia will return home this Friday, October 15 to host Rochester at 7pm.