(Ann Arbor, MI) After starting the 2019 campaign with three consecutive games on the road, the Cardinal volleyball team had back to back home games in a home tri-match against Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Grace Christian University.
GAME #1 VS MOUNT VERNON
The Cardinals continued their non-conference stretch of early season games with a matchup against Mount Vernon Nazarene University. The Cardinals fought hard but the Cougars balanced attack proved to be too much for the Cardinals. The Cardinals fell to the Cougars in a sweep. (17-25, 15-25, 16-25).
1st Set – CUAA 17, Mount Vernon Nazarene University 25
After a quick 3-0 start, the Cardinals found themselves trailing for most of the set. The Cougars seemed to be firing on all cylinders and took full advantage of the Cardinals' errors. The Cardinals did their best to overcome some early miscues but ultimately lost the 1st set 17-25. Tara Schatzle led the Cardinals in digs with 9 in the 1st set.
2nd Set – CUAA 15, Mount Vernon Nazarene University 25
The Cardinals came out with amazing energy to start the 2nd set. However, the Cougars managed to tame the Cardinals' energy serge and maintained control of the set. Although the Cardinals played with much more energy than the 1st set, the result was the same. The Cougars led for the most of the set and went on to win the set 15-25. Lena Thompson led the Cardinals kills with 6 kills and 22 total attempts. Tara Schatzle again led the team in digs with 14 and Hailey McCourt contributed with 8 digs.
3rd Set – CUAA 16, Mount Vernon Nazarene University 25
Being down 2 sets, the Cardinals had a lot of work cut out for them. In the 3rd set, the Cougars were constantly on the attack and seeking to the close the game. However, the Cardinals showed tenaciousness by doing their best to force a 4th set. The Cougars had no intention of letting the Cardinals achieve that goal, resulting in the Cougars closing out the match by a score of 16-25.
GAME #2 VS GRACE CHRISTIAN
The Cards played their second matchup of the day against Grace Christian University. The Cardinals bounced back from losing to Mount Vernon Nazarene University by defeating the Grace Christian University Tigers. (25-16, 25-22, 25-11).
1st Set – CUAA 25, Grace Christian University 16
The Cardinals got off to a hot start with Gabrielle den Boer landing some vicious kills and Hailey McCourt scored off great serves. Their play ignited the crowd and really set the tone for the remainder of the match. The Cardinals lead for most of the 1st set and they went on to win 25-16. Gabrielle den Boer led the Cardinal attack with 8 kills with most of them coming consecutively.
2nd Set – CUAA 25, Grace Christian University 22
The Cardinals and Tigers were going point for point for most of the 2nd set. It was tough battle coming down to the end but in the end the Cardinals prevailed 25-22. Lena Thompson, Gabrielle den Boer, and Delaney Bennett led the Cardinal attack with a combined 24 kills. Tara Schatzle, Denae Tolu, and Kaitlin Veihl held down the line of defense with a combined 26 digs. The Cardinals' balanced attack allowed for them to squeeze a hard fought victory in the 2nd set.
3rd Set – CUAA 25, Grace Christian University 11
Again the Cardinals got off to a great start and had a lead as big as 22-9. The Cardinals did a great job of bouncing back from the earlier lost today. They displayed their dominance and fight in the win over Grace Christian University. The Cardinals were consistent and effective all throughout the match. They went on to win the last set in convincing fashion 25-11.
What's next?
The Cardinals start conference play on Wednesday, September 11th at 7pm as they go on the road to face UNOH in Lima, OH.
