(Lima, OH) – Concordia volleyball began WHAC conference play on Wednesday afternoon when the team traveled to the University of Northwestern Ohio. The Cardinals came into the contest 3-3 overall while the Racers entered 8-4. CUAA fought hard and forced a very close second set, but the Racers were able to win the game in straight sets.
Lena Thompson (SR/Howard City, MI) led the Cardinals with 8 kills in the game. Hailey McCourt (JR/Toledo, OH) recorded a team-high 17 assists in the match. Kaitlin Veihl (JR/Muskegon, MI) and Lindsey Luff (SO/Flushing, MI) were a force at the net, tying for the team lead with 3 blocks. Tara Schatzle (JR/Brooklyn, MI) anchored the defense with 12 digs while Denae Tolu (SR/Canton, MI) also chipped in with 10.
Set 1 – UNOH 25, CUAA 15
Kills from Lena Thompson and Michaela Werner (FR/Munising, MI) helped the Cardinals to keep pace early in the set. UNOH jumped out to a 19-6 lead, but Concordia used a 5-0 run to fight back. Hailey McCourt recorded a kill and a service ace during the run and Lindsey Luff made a powerful spike. However, UNOH was able to secure a 25-15 win in set 1.
Set 2 – UNOH 26, CUAA 24
Michaela Werner notched a kill for Concordia's first point in the 2nd set. The Cardinals jumped out to a 7-2 lead after a combined block by Kaitlin Veihl and Michaela Werner, prompting a UNOH timeout. Concordia appeared to be in control of the set, taking a 17-10 lead after Lindsey Luff hammered a kill off a well-placed set from Hailey McCourt.
UNOH slowly began to claw their way back into the game, battling back to pull ahead 24-23. After a long volley Lindsey Luff used a soft touch over the net to record a kill, tying the game 24-24. However, UNOH notched 2 more points to claim set 2 by a score of 26-24.
Set 3 – UNOH 25, CUAA 16
After falling behind 2-0, Concordia rattled off 3 straight points to take the lead. The Racers stormed back and led by as many 12 points in the set, but the Cardinals continued to scrap. CUAA got as close as 7 points when a kill by Michaela Werner put the team down 23-16, but UNOH secured the final 2 points to win the match.
Concordia will return home for their next game on Wednesday, September 18 when they host Rochester College. The game is set to begin at 7pm.
