Oct. 23, 2013 - The final two-week stretch of the volleyball season began tonight as the Concordia Cougars traveled to familiar rival Aurora University. The two teams battled competitively all night, but the Spartans maintained the upper hand and defeated the Cougars in three straight sets (25-19, 29-27, 25-21).

After trailing for most of set one, the Cougars looked to even the match with a fierce rally in the middle set. Trailing 18-13, Concordia roared back to take a 24-23 lead. However, Aurora fought off CUC's clinching attempt and finally took a couple of consecutive points to win a 29-27 set and seize momentum with a 2-0 lead in the match.

Concordia was led by senior Bianca Gordon's (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran) nine kills Kristin Allen (Green Valley, IL/Illini Central) and Danielle Sisco (Park Ridge, IL/Resurrection) each added five kills each with Sisco hitting a team-high .385. Jenna Boggs (South Beloit, IL/Hononegah) handed out 23 assists and recorded a team-leading 10 digs.

Aurora finished with three players in double-digit kills led by Andrea Kappelman's 14.

The Cougars (3-18, 1-9 NACC) will play their final conference match of the season Saturday night at Alverno College.