(Ann Arbor, MI) After starting the 2019 campaign with three consecutive games on the road, the Cardinal volleyball team finally returned to the friendly confines of Cardinal Stadium for their home opener. The Cardinals continued their non-confernence stretch of early season games with a matchup against NCAA DIII Defiance College. The Cardinals were consistent and effective throughout the match leading to a sweep of the Yellow Jackets (25-14, 25-21, 25-20).
Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI) and Gabrielle den Boer (JR/Canton, MI) paced the Cardinals attack with 10 and 8 attacks respectively. Hailey McCourt (JR/Toledo, OH) led the Cardinals with 19 assists and Tara Schatzle (JR/Brooklyn, MI) anchored the defense with 22 digs.
1st Set – CUAA 25, Defiance College 14
Delaney Bennett and Hailey McCourt led The Cardinals in the first set with 7 combined kills. The Cardinals attack was balanced throughout with a total of 13 kills recorded in the opening frame. The Cardinals fierce attack forced Defiance to call multiple timeouts. The Cardinals extended their lead to a double-digit margin and went on to win the set 25-14.
2nd Set – CUAA 25 , Defiance College 21
The Cardinals struggled to find their rhythm early in the second set and found themselves down by a double digit margin. But as the set went on the Cardinals continued to chip away and earn their way to a squared match at 17-17. From there, the two teams went point for point in a tenacious battle. Denae Tolu (SR/Canton, MI) and Tara Schatzle recorded a combined 27 digs for the Cardinals defense. A few errors by Defiance and a constant attack by the Cardinals propelled the red and black into the lead late. Delaney Bennett again led the attack for the Cardinals with 7 kills. The Cardinals fought their way back and won the 2nd set 25-21.
3rd Set – CUAA 25 , Defiance College 19
The 3rd set was tightly contested throughout with the Cardinals trying to close the game and Defiance trying their best to force a 4th set. Denae Tolu seemed to be all over the court with numerous gutsy and deserpation saves that ignited the crowd. Concordia held off a Yellow Jackets comeback to take the set and match sweep.
What's next?
The Cardinals will quickly return to action on Saturday afternoon at 1pm as they host a Tri-match. The Cardinals host Mount Vernon Nazarene University at 1pm and Grace Christian University at 5pm.
