Oct. 12, 2011 - Tonight's volleyball match between Concordia University Chicago and Benedictine University at Geiseman Gymnasium pitted two of the hottest teams in the Northern Athletics Conference. The Cougars were coming off a 3-0 weekend while the Eagles entered the match with a winning streak of seven. Something had to give and, unfortunately for the home crowd, it was the Cougars seeing their streak end as Benedictine prevailed in four sets (25-12, 17-25, 26-24, 25-15).

A combination of strong hitting by Benedictine's Candice Cuppini and Nicole Adams, and a negative hitting attack (five kills, 10 errors) by Concordia in set one had some in the crowd anticipating a shot evening. But the Cougars battled back in set two as they unleashed a fierce blocking game. Sparked by Allison Sapiro (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran), Bianca Gordon (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) and Sarah Brendel (Hazelwood, MO/Hazelwood West), the Cougars turned around the momentum and evened the match.

Set three saw the Cougars lead for most of the way but never enough to put away the Eagles. Finally, with the set tied 23-23, a Cougar serving error provided the visitors the opening they needed, and they squeezed out the win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

In set four, Benedictine regained some of the form they had flashed in set one, and they built a big early lead in wrapping up the match.

Cuppini and Adams led Benedictine with 16 and 13 kills respectively. Sarah Potter (New Haven, IN/Woodlan) led Concordia's attack with 10 kills while Sapiro finished with seven kills (.368) and five blocks.

The Cougars (10-12, 5-3 NAC) will play at Edgewood College on Friday night in a match rescheduled from Oct. 1.