(Ann Arbor, MI) The Cardinals squared off against WHAC powerhouse Saturday night as part of homecoming festivities for Concordia. The Crusaders looked to spoiler coming in with a 14-6 mark overall and 6-2 within the competitive WHAC. The Crusaders came out strong and despite the Cardinals best efforts in the final three sets, eventually pulled away 25-12, 19-25, 25-20, 25-21
1st Set – CUAA 12 , Madonna 25
The Crusaders got off to an aggressive leading 14-8 to force a Cardinals timeout. A couple attacking errors by the Cardinals extended the lead to 19-9. A kill by Nicole Evans (JR/Bristol, IN) gave the Cardinals 12 points but a Madonna kill by Karolina Noszcyk gave the Crusaders set point. Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI) (Sr/Fruitport, MI) led the Cardinals with 10 digs and Kaitlin Veihl (JR/Muskegon, MI) (Jr/Muskegon, MI) led the Cardinals with 5 assists.
2nd Set – CUAA 25 , Madonna 19
The Cardinals raised their intensity level in the second set taking an early lead 3-6 on a kill by Lena Thompson (SR/Howard City, MI). The Crusaders would crawl their way back evening the match 9-9. A couple Crusaders service errors and consecutive kills by Thompson gave the Cardinals a 14-10 lead to forcing a timeout. The Cardinals maintained their efficiency and led the rest of the set to even the match. Thompson led the Cardinal attack with 6 kills in the set.
3rd Set – CUAA 20, Madonna 25
The third set was back and forth as both teams played evenly. After the Crusaders jumped out to a quick 4-0 start, the Cardinals responded with 4 points of their own to even the set. The Crusaders would begin to pull away at 16-11 forcing a Cardinals timeout. Kaitlin Veihl recorded a kill for the Cardinals after the timeout with the Cardinals also taking advantage of a Crusaders error to trim the lead 16-13. The Cardinals would get as close as 20-18 but three straight kills by the Crusaders gave them control and the set. Denae Tolu (SR/Canton, MI) (Jr/Muskegon, MI), Tara Schatzle (JR/Brooklyn, MI) (Jr/Brooklyn, MI) and Delaney Bennett (Sr/Fruitport, MI) combined 47 digs in their defensive efforts.
4th Set – CUAA 21, Madonna 25
The Cardinals would not go away with a fight. The Cardinals played point for point with the Crusaders as the set remained tied half way through at 14-14. The Crusaders appeared to be pulling away after quick three points to make it 21-18 forcing a Cardinals timeout. The Cardinals responded with a kill by Delaney Bennett and took advantage of a Crusaders attacking error forcing Madonna to call a timeout, 22-20. An attacking error by the Crusader brought the Cardinals within one but three straight points by the Crusaders ended the set and match 25-21.
What's next?
The Cardinals will return to action on Wednesday night at 7pm as they go on the road to face Cornerstone University.
