(Grand Rapids, MI) The Concordia Volleyball team took to Aquinas College Saturday afternoon for a WHAC matchup against the Saints. The Cardinals won a hard fought 5-set match to get their third WHAC win of the season.
Claudia Grepke and Kayla Peters led the Cardinals attack with 19 and 18 kills respectively. Madeline Vnuk posted a career high 45 assists in the match while McKenzie Peters led the team with 15 digs.
Set 1: Concordia 25, Aquinas 22
The Cardinals came back from a 15-10 deficit to win the first set of the game. The Cardinal comeback came off of a run of McKenzie Peters serves, including an ace from the libero. Claudia Grepke led the team with 7 kills in first set while Madeline Vnuk tallied 13 assists.
Set 2: Aquinas 25, Concordia 17
Aquinas bounced back with a comfortable win in the second set in large part thanks to 5 service aces. The Saints also had a .250 hitting percentage in the set to even the game up at one a piece.
Set 3: Concordia 25, Aquinas 21
The third set of the game was very back and forth with both teams scoring in runs of three or four. Vnuk had back to back aces early in the set. The Cards won five straight points late in the set to get a lead as large as eight. The Saints brought it back within three, but were unable to mount the comeback before the Cardinals reached 25.
Set 4: Aquinas 25, Concordia 18
The Saints jumped out to an 8-point advantage early in the fourth set behind three aces and three blocks. Concordia responded by winning seven of the next nine points to get within striking distance. Aquinas was able to pull away and force a fifth set.
Set 5: Concordia 15, Aquinas 8
Paige Staton had back to back aces for the Cardinals early. The Cardinals went on a six-point run following a 4-4 tie with Abigail Austin tallying two aces as well. Madalyn Lisman and Grepke recorded the final two kills for the Cardinals to win the match.
Next up for the Cardinals will be a home match on Wednesday, October 5th against Rochester. First serve is set for 7:00 in the Cardinal Fieldhouse.