(Ann Arbor, MI) Cardinals quickly returned to action after Friday night's WHAC matchup over LTU to take Lourdes. The Gray Wolves came in as one of the top teams in the WHAC after defeating UM Dearborn in a sweep the previous evening. The Wolves came out strong and despite the Cardinals best efforts they fell to the Wolves in four sets, (23-25,16 -25,25 -20, 12-15).
Delaney Bennett paced the Cardinals attack with nine kills while Kaitlin Viehl recorded 19 assists. Kaitlin Viehl and Tara Schatzle (JR/Brooklyn, MI) anchored the Cardinals defense with 26 and 20 digs respectively. The Cardinals recorded a season high 10 block assists with Nicole Evans (JR/Bristol, IN) tallying four and den Boer three.
1st Set – CUAA 23, Lourdes 25
The Wolves got off to a quick start and lead as much as 8-1 in the early going. Lena Thompson (SR/Howard City, MI) responded with a couple kills but the Wolves went on another run and pushed the lead to 18-7. The Cardinals responded with several long rallies to bring the score 13-18, forcing the Wolves to call a timeout .The Cardinals made another push and tied the game at 19-19 forcing another timeout. The game would remain tied at 22-22 forcing the Cardinals to call a timeout. A kill and an ace by the Gray Wolves gave them the first set 25-23.
2nd Set – CUAA 16, Lourdes 25
The Gray Wolves jumped out to a 10-4 start before the Cardinals found their rhythm. Kills by Lindsay Luff and Delaney Bennett pulled the Cardinals within four at 10-14. The Gray Wolves took advantage of three attacking errors by the Cardinals increasing their lead, 19-14 which caused the Cardinals to call a timeout. Two quick kills out of the timeout put the Gray Wolves ahead for good 22-14 6. Kaitlin Veihl (JR/Muskegon, MI) (JR/Muskegon, MI), Delaney Bennett (SR/Fruitport, MI), and Denae Tolu (SR/Canton, MI) (SR/Canton, MI) led the Cardinals with combining for 34 digs.
3rd Set – CUAA 25, Lourdes 20
The Cardinals would not go away quietly scoring the first point of the third set and never looked back. Gabrielle den Boer (JR/Canton, MI) paced the Cardinals early with five straight well placed serves giving the red and black a 7-2 lead. The Gray Wolves kept chipping away and eventually tied the game, 15-15. The Cardinals remained aggressive and displayed superb defense on long rallies with several backrow saves from Tara Schatzle and Denae Tolue. The Cardinals increased their lead 18-21 causing a Lourdes timeout. The Timeout did nothing to shift momentum as the Cardinals continued to cruise. Kills by Kaitlin Veihl and Gabrielle den Boer sealed the game for the Cardinals and extended the match.
4th Set – CUAA 12, Lourdes 25
Lourdes regained control in the last set. The Cardinals showed flashes but they couldn't sustain it for a long period of time. A Cardinals timeout at 19-11 gave the Cardinals one last chance for a comeback. The Gray Wolves stayed aggressive and eventually won the set 25-12.
The Cardinals will return to action on Wednesday night at 7pm as they go on the road to face Rochester University.
