(Ann Arbor, MI) The Cardinals hosted the Rochester Warriors on Wednesday night for their first home conference game of the season. The Cardinals fell to UNOH last week in their WHAC opener and looked to even the mark tonight. The Cardinals stumbled out of the game getting down 2-1 but responded with two straight sets to pick up their first WHAC win of the season, 19-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-21, 15-8).
Gabrielle den Boer, Lena Thompson (SR/Howard City, MI), and Delaney Bennett led the Cardinals attack with 16, 14, and 14 kills respectively. den Boer also recorded a team high .342 hitting percentage. Kaitlin Veihl (JR/Muskegon, MI) and Hailey McCourt (JR/Toledo, OH) shared setter responsibilities dishing out 23 and 24 assist. Veihl also led the team with 33 digs while Tara Schatzle posted 31.
1st Set – CUAA 19, Rochester College 25
It was a close battle throughout the 1st set. Neither team was down more than a couple points but in the end the Warriors managed to capitalize off the Cardinals errors and that was the difference. The Warriors went on to win the set 19-25. Denae Tolu (SR/Canton, MI) (SR Canton, MI) led the Cardinals with 6 digs and Lena Thompson (SR Howard City, MI) and Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI) had a combined 6 kills.
2nd Set – CUAA 25, Rochester College 15
The Cardinals got off to a strong start with their energy and a fierce attac as they jetted out to an early lead of 10-2. This forced the Warriors to call a timeout and regroup. The Cardinals dominated the Warriors in the 2nd set as their balanced attack overwhelmed the Warriors and the Cardinals went on to win 25-15. The Cardinals got contributions from all over the roster. Tara Schatzle (JR/Brooklyn, MI), Denae Tolu (SR Canton, MI), and Kaitlin Veihl combined for 27 digs keeping several long rallies alive and Lena Thompson, Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI) and Gabrielle den Boer (JR/Canton, MI) led the Cardinal attack with a combined 18 kills.
3rd Set – CUAA 23, Rochester College 25
The Warriors quickly responded in the third set jumping out to a 7-4 lead. The two teams would go point for point much of the set with neither team able to put a stretch of points together. Many back row digs preserved long rallies for both teams. In the end the Warriors prevailed and won the set 25-23 going up 2-1.
4th Set – CUAA 25, Rochester College 21
Both teams continued to play evenly matched going point for point during the entire set. Neither team led by more than two points. The trio of Lena Thompson, Delaney Bennett, and Gabrielle den Boer continued to lead the Cardinals attacking game recording six of the team's final eight points to force a game five.
5th Set – CUAA 15, Rochester College 8
The Cardinals came out aggressive and took advantage of a few Rochester errors to take a quick 8-4 lead. The momentum continued with a den Boer kill to make the score 6-14 forcing a Warriors timeout. The Warriors responded with two quick points but a kill by den Boer gave the Cardinals their first WHAC win of the 2019 season.
What's next?
The Cardinals will quickly return to action and continue conference play on Friday night at 7pm as they go on the road to face The Lawrence Tech Blue Devils.
