Oct. 18, 2011 - The Concordia Cougars hosted a red-hot Wisconsin Lutheran College team at Geiseman Gymnasium this evening. The Warriors came in with a winning streak of eight matches and 14-2 over the last month. The Cougars were pumped up for this challenge but may have been over-enthusiastic in at least one regard. A slew of attack errors - many on balls hit too hard - put Concordia in an early hole, and Wisconsin Lutheran took advantage in rolling to a 25-16, 25-19, 25-14 victory.
Seven errors against just five kills contributed to a minus-.071 perentage in set one. The Warriors also got off to a strong start behind Kelli Johnson's hard hitting at the net. As the match progressed, she and older sister Rachel kept up a solid offense while also providing strong blocking. Normally a strength of the Cougars, the Warriors had the better of the blocking stats tonight, scoring six team points on blocks to the Cougars' two.
The Cougars rallied briefly in the third set behind Sarah Potter's (New Haven, IN/Woodlan) four kills after having a negative attack percentage through two sets. However, the Warriors ran off eight straight points to take control down the stretch and close out the sweep.
Potter finished with six kills while Bianca Gordon (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) added five kills and two blocks. Rachel Johnson led the Warriors with 10 kills and a .500 attack.
Concordia (10-14, 5-5 NAC) will host sister school Concordia Wisconsin Friday night at 7:00. It will be Senior Night for the Cougars as they honor Potter, Rachel Cooper (Roscoe, IL/Hononegah) and Briana Steffenhagen (Chicago, IL/DeLaSalle).
