Oct. 18, 2013 - Friday night's volleyball match at Geiseman Gymnasium between Marian University and Concordia University Chicago provided plenty of thrills but ultimately a disappointing finish for the Cougar faithful. The visiting Sabres came back from a 2-1 deficit to take the final two sets and win the match by scores of 19-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16 and 15-7.
The Cougars played their best ball in the opening set. Sophomore
Kristin Allen (Green Valley, IL/Illini Valley) provided the early energy in coming off the bench to hammer down five kills. Allen would go on to record a career-high of 15 kills (.233), eclipsing her previous high of 14 set two weeks ago against Concordia University Wisconsin.
In set two, freshman
Danielle Sisco (Park Ridge, IL/Resurrection) racked up four kills in five attempts. However, the Marian attack began to find itself after a rough first set, and their balanced hitting allowed them to win set two handily and even the match.
Concordia trailed18-15 in set three but came back to capitalize on some Marian errors.
Lisa Koller (Indianapolis, IN/Indianapolis Lutheran) scored some key kills including the set's final point, and Allen and
Raven Burns (Shorewood, IL/Minooka Community) also chipped in with some timely hits.
As quickly as the Cougars turned the momentum around at the end of set three, the Sabres took it back in set four. Marian hit .270 in the set compared to Concordia's .059 and pulled away to the nine-point win, setting up the decisive fifth set.
Marian jumped out to a 4-1 lead in set five before Concordia battled back. Allen's final kill of the night made the score Sabres 7, Cougars 6. However, the visitors reeled off the next six points to put some distance between themselves and the Cougars.
Koller and
Bianca Gordon (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) each recorded eight kills to back Allen's 15. Gordon also chipped in with five blocks. Setter
Jenna Boggs (South Beloit, IL/Hononegah) handed out 34 assists.
Marian was led by Anna Smit's 12 kills and Casey Lamberty's 11 while Catelyn Brehm added seven kills and six blocks.
Concordia returns to action Saturday morning at 11 a.m. when they host Lakeland College. It will be Senior Day at CUC as the team honors Boggs, Gordon and Koller prior to the match.
