Sept. 23, 2014 - The Concordia-Chicago volleyball tean returned from a week's hiatus to take the floor against host North Central College this evening. The 10-2 Cardinals provided one of the Cougars' most formidable challenges thus far this season, but CUC gave a good account of themselves at the Gregory Arena. After falling behind 0-2 in the match, the Cougars took set three and had the lead for a good part of set four before finally falling to the hosts by scores of 15-25, 13-25, 25-21, 16-25.
North Central's hitting game started much faster than Concordia's, allowing the hosts to grab the lead. Amy Hermle went 4-5 on the attack in the early going to pace NCC. Meanwhile, the Cougars had seven attack errors to just six kills in the opening set.
The Cardinals' hitting was even more accurate in set two. They went .344 with 15 kills, led by Ane Marie Bachmann's four kills in six attempts. The Cougars recorded just three kills in the set, all three by Kaylyn Anderson (East Chicago, IN/Whiting). It appeared as if it might be a short night for the Cougars in Naperville but they were not ready to go home yet. Led by Anderson's five kills and four each by Austin Thompson (Morris, IL/Morris Community) and Mary Arredia (Franklin Park, IL/West Leyden), the Cougars built a seven-point lead at 19-12 and again at 23-16 before holding off a late NCC comeback. The momentum carried over into the early part of set four as Concordia took a 7-3 lead. However, the Cardinals caught the Cougars and then took the lead for good at 10-9. The hosts powered up 14 kills in the closing set to keep the Cougars at bay.
Anderson finished with 16 kills (.160) in 50 attempts while Arredia and Thompson added seven each. Jackie Bartnicki (Chicago, IL/Guerin Prep) handed out 27 assists while Angela Hennig (Springfield, IL/Springfield Lutheran) led the defensive effort with 16 digs. "I was very proud of our effort against a very tough team like North Central and in their gym," said CUC head coach Troy Campbell. "I thought our serve receptions were a lot better as was our defensive intensity." The Cougars will get ready to play four matches on friday and Saturday at the University of Chicago's Gargoyle Classic.
