(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia volleyball celebrated Senior Day with a home game against Lawrence Tech on Saturday afternoon. Prior to the game, the Cardinals honored their five seniors: Gabrielle den Boer, Hailey McCourt, Kaitlin Veihl, Nicole Evans, and Tara Schatzle. After defeating the Blue Devils 3-1 on the road last Wednesday, CUAA swept the season series with another 3-1 victory.
Kayla Peters led Concordia with 15 kills and 27 digs in the game. Senior Gabrielle den Boer chipped in with 12 kills with senior Nicole Evans added 8. Senior Hailey McCourt had a team-high 21 assists and Abigail Austin was a close second with 20. Senior Tara Schatzle contributed to the back end with 25 digs. Senior Kaitlin Veihl led the team with 3 blocks.
Set 1 – CUAA 25, LTU 21
Senior Nicole Evans notched Concordia's first kill of the game, beginning a 3-0 run to take the lead after an 0-2 start. Lawrence Tech jumped out to a 5-3 lead, but a 7-0 run pushed the Cardinals back in front with Evans and fellow senior Gabrielle den Boer notching kills.
The Blue Devils fought back to tighten the set in the late stages, prompting a Concordia timeout with an 18-17 lead. Three kills by Gabrielle den Boer down the stretch extended the Cardinal lead, and Kayla Peters smashed the winning kill for a 25-21 set 1 win.
Set 2 – CUAA 25, LTU 19
Kayla Peters floated a ball over the net for the first Concordia kill in set 2. An early combined block from seniors Nicole Evans and Kaitlin Veihl gave the Cardinals a 4-1 lead. Madalyn Lisman hammered a kill for a 9-4 advantage.
A block from seniors Hailey McCourt and Kaitlin Veihl ended a long volley, giving CUAA a 12-8 lead. Lawrence Tech once again tightened the set in the late stages, prompting a Concordia timeout with the team ahead 19-16. However, the Cardinals closed the set on a 6-3 run with Kayla Peters again claiming the winning kill.
Set 3 – LTU 25, CUAA 15
Nicole Evans had Concordia's first kill in set 3 after a long volley. The Blue Devils controlled the play in set 3, building a 16-7 lead late in the set. A 4-0 run by the Cardinals pulled the team within 5 points, but the Blue Devils secured the 25-15 win in set 3.
Set 4 – CUAA 25, LTU 19
Kayla Peters had Concordia's first kill in set 4. A strong kill by Nicole Evans broke a 4-4 tie to give the Cardinals the lead. A kill from Hailey McCourt prompted a Blue Devil timeout with an 11-6 CUAA lead.
A 7-1 run by the Cardinals extended the team's lead to double digits. While the Blue Devils attempted to rally late in the set, Concordia closed out the match to secure a 25-19 win.
The Cardinals improve to 3-2 overall with the win. The team will head on the road for their next match against Indiana Tech on Wednesday, October 21. The game is set to begin at 7pm.
