(Adrian, MI) – After months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Concordia volleyball returned to action with a rivalry game at Siena Heights. The Cardinals came in 3-2 overall while the Saints were beginning their season. CUAA fought back from a 2-1 deficit to force a deciding set 5, but a late Siena Heights rally handed the team a 3-2 loss.
Kayla Peters led the team with 16 kills and 25 digs. Kaitlin Veihl finished second with 14 kills. Abigail Austin had a team-high 16 assists. McKenzie Peters chipped in 20 digs.
Set 1 – CUAA 25, SHU 21
The Cardinals jumped out to a 10-0 lead to begin set 1 with Hailey McCourt notching the first kill. The Saints fought back with a 10-1 run to tie the game 11-11, but the Cardinals continued to maintain their lead. A strong kill by Madalyn Lisman late in the set put CUAA up 21-19 and the team took the first set 25-21.
Set 2 – SHU 25, CUAA 16
Kaitlin Veihl had a spike in set 2 to begin a 3-0 CUAA run. Veihl added another powerful early kill, but the Saints built an 11-7 lead prompting a Concordia timeout. The Cardinals continued to stay within 4-5 points, but Siena Heights took set two 25-16.
Set 3 – SHU 25, CUAA 14
Kayla Peters had Concordia's first kill in set 3. While the Cardinals notched many kills in the set, Siena Heights maintained their lead throughout and claimed the third set 25-14.
Set 4 – CUAA 27, SHU 25
Hailey McCourt found an open spot for the first kill in set 4. An ace from McKenzie Peters gave the Cardinals an early 3-2 lead. CUAA stayed ahead through most of the set, prompting an SHU timeout with a 20-16 lead. However, the Saints battled back and earned a chance at the match point with a 24-23 lead. Concordia stayed alive with kills from Kayla Peters and Hailey McCourt, earning a 27-25 win.
Set 5 – SHU 16, CUAA 14
An Abigail Austin ace began a 3-0 CUAA run in a deciding set 5. Kayla Peters and Madalyn Lisman combined for a powerful block to start a 4-0 run which was capped by a Hailey McCourt ace. Kaitlin Veihl ended a long volley with a kill for an 11-10 lead.
A kill from Veihl gave the Cardinals a chance at a match point with a 14-13 lead, but the Saints used a 3-0 run to claim the closely contested match in set 5.
Concordia will play next at Aquinas on Friday, February 19 at 7:00pm.
