(Mishawaka, IN) – Concordia volleyball officially began the 2019 campaign when they traveled to Bethel College on Friday afternoon. Both teams entered the match looking to get the new season off to a solid start. While the Cardinals put together some solid kills and rallies throughout the game, Bethel claimed the contest in straight sets.

Hailey McCourt (JR/Toledo, OH) led the Cardinals with 6 assists and 4 digs. Gabrielle den Boer (JR/Canton, MI) led Concordia with 5 kills in the game. Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI) also contributed with 4 kills in the match.

Set 1 – Bethel 25, CUAA 10

Bethel jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but the Cardinals fought back to a 4-3 deficit after a well-placed kill from Hailey McCourt. Delaney Bennett made a powerful kill later in the set, cutting Bethel's lead to 12-6. Gabrielle den Boer and Katie Veihl recorded kills down the stretch, but Bethel took set 1 by a score of 25-10.

Set 2 – Bethel 25, CUAA 16

Bethel jumped out to an early lead once again, but an early kill from Nicole Evans (JR/Bristol, IN) kept Concordia in the game. Gabrielle den Boer made another strong kill, but Bethel was able to build a 20-10 lead prompting a CUAA timeout. Delaney Bennett recorded a key block following the timeout, and several solid serves from Katie Veihl kept the Cardinals alive late in the set. However, Bethel claimed set 2 by a score of 25-16.

Set 3 – Bethel 25, CUAA 11

After a long rally, Nicole Evans made a kill to give the Cardinals their first lead of the game. Bethel stormed back with 9 straight points, but a pair of kills from Delaney Bennett cut CUAA's deficit to 10-5. Gabrielle den Boer chipped in with a kill and Hailey McCourt continued to make assists, but Bethel eventually pulled away and claimed set 3 by a score of 25-11.

The Cardinals will be back in action when they travel to Concordia-Chicago for the Concordia Invitational Volleyball Tournament. The tournament will be held from August 30 – August 31.