(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia volleyball continued their WHAC regular season on Wednesday night when they hosted Madonna.  The Cardinals entered the contest 7-10 overall (7-7 WHAC) while the Crusaders came into the game with a 12-4 record (10-4 WHAC).  CUAA battled throughout each of the sets, holding a late advantage in the third, but Madonna claimed the win in straight sets.

Kaitlin Veihl and Tara Drinane combined for the team lead with 9 kills apiece.  Veihl also led the team with 5 blocks.  Hailey McCourt made a team-high 15 assists while Abigail Austin added 14 assists.  Tara Schatzle anchored the back end with 23 digs.

Set 1 – MU 25, CUAA 18

Tara Drinane started the game out with a kill.  Tara Schatzle made an early service ace for a 4-3 lead.  Madonna fought back to take the lead, but Hailey McCourt and Kaitlin Veihl countered with a combined block.  The Cardinals kept fighting with another ace from Tara Schatzle putting the team up 13-12.  Kayla Peters made three kills down the stretch, but Madonna eventually pulled back ahead and won set one 25-18.

Set 2 – MU 25, CUAA 17

Madalyn Lisman had the first Concordia kill in set 2.  Tara Drinane had a go-ahead kill to put the Cardinals up 4-3.  Kayla Peters and Madalyn Lisman combined for two early blocks, but Madonna eventually took the lead.  The Crusaders were able to claim set two by a score of 25-17.

Set 3 – MU 25, CUAA 23

Tara Drinane made the first Cardinal kill in set 3.  Hailey McCourt capped off a 4-0 run with a kill to give the team an 8-4 advantage.  Madonna again fought back to take the lead, but a Tara Schatzle ace kept the game close.  After a 19-19 tie, Kaitlin Veihl combined with both Kayla Peters and Hailey McCourt to put the Cardinals ahead by two.  A powerful Kayla Peters kill gave Concordia a 23-20 lead, but Madonna was able to close the set on a 5-0 run to win the game.

Concordia will head on the road this Friday, March 26 to face Cornerstone at 7pm.