(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia volleyball is preparing to begin the 2021-22 campaign with a home tri-match this upcoming Tuesday. The Cardinals battled through a challenging pandemic-disrupted season last year, finishing 6th in the conference and qualifying for the WHAC tournament for the first time since 2013. 4th-year head coach Danielle Cook returns 11 players from last year's squad while bringing in a talented recruiting class of 12 freshmen this year.
2020-21 Season Review
Due to COVID-19, the Cardinals' 2020-21 season was split between the fall and the spring. Concordia went 3-2 in the month of October, picking up a pair of WHAC wins over Lawrence Tech before the remainder of the season was postponed to spring. CUAA finished with a 7-10 WHAC record, placing them as the #6 seed in the WHAC tournament. The Cardinals' season concluded after a hard-fought first-round loss to Madonna.
2021 Season Preview
Concordia opens the 2021 season with a home tri-match on August 24, hosting Trinity International at 2pm and Huntington at 6pm. The Cardinals conclude the month at the Taylor University Tournament. The team will face Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan on August 27, and then Mount Vernon Nazarene and Governors State on August 28.
A non-conference tournament at Bethel University opens the month of September. The Cardinals play Cumberland and Saint Francis (IL) on September 3, followed by Grace and IU-Kokomo on September 4. WHAC conference play starts at home on September 8 and 17 with games against Aquinas and Lawrence Tech. After traveling to Rochester and Cornerstone, The Cardinals return home to host UM-Dearborn and Madonna. An away contest at Indiana Tech on September 29 rounds out the month.
October starts with a road match against Lourdes followed by a home contest versus rival Siena Heights on October 2. The Cardinals will travel to UNOH and Aquinas and then return to Ann Arbor to host Rochester. The team will head on the road again for 3 straight matches at Lawrence Tech, Madonna, and UM-Dearborn. CUAA comes back home October 27 to host Indiana Tech and then travels to rival Siena Heights two days later. Another busy month wraps up with a home contest against Lourdes on October 30.
The Cardinals will finish the season in November with two home games. The team hosts Cornerstone on November 3 and then celebrates Senior Night on November 6 against UNOH. If Concordia finishes among the top 8 teams in the WHAC, they will qualify for the postseason conference tournament beginning on November 10.
Concordia Personnel
Senior Kaitlin Veihl returns to the Concordia program after leading the team with 52 blocks and 36 service aces while adding 171 kills. Senior Emily Belinsky will contribute additional leadership to the squad given her time with the program.
Reigning WHAC Newcomer of the Year Sophomore Kayla Peters returns after leading the team with 246 kills, finishing second with 305 digs, and adding 34 blocks. Sophomore Abigail Austin led last year's team with 365 assists, while also compiling 260 digs.
Sophomore Mckenzie Peters notched 237 digs along with 14 service aces. Sophomore Tara Drinane finished third on the team with 112 kills last year. Sophomore Madalyn Lisman notched 93 kills while coming in second with 37 blocks.
Sophomore Korie Fowler recorded 18 digs last year. Sophomore Alexandra Lucaj had 15 kills. Sophomore Andrea Nelson notched a dig in her first collegiate action. Sophomore Andrea Phillips will be returning to the team this year as well.
Head coach Danielle Cook brought in 12 freshmen for this year's recruiting class: Mia Tschannen, Paige Staton, Sadie Gerlach, Megan Neumann, Jessalyn Peavyhouse, Ellen Stolz, Kailey Canterbury, Julia Klug, Breann June, Claudia Grepke, Madelyn Ankoviak, and Catherine Schultz.
2020-21 Team Stats
Connect with the Cardinals
For the most updated information and news throughout the season follow the Concordia Volleyball team on their social media platforms. The Cardinals are on Facebook (@CUAAVolleyball), Twitter (@CUAAVB), and Instagram (@concordiavball). Fans can also subscribe for text alerts and to the Cardinals YouTube page for video interviews with players and coaches.
