Oct. 10 2015 - Back in the friendly confines of Geiseman Gymnasium, the Concordia-Chicago volleyball team rode its typically powerful serving game to a 3-1 (25-14, 22-25, 25-10, 25-11) win over visiting Alverno College.

The Cougars dominated all but one set in the match, starting off hot in set one. The Cougars got kills from Anna Kellar (Collinsville, IL/Metro-East Lutheran) and Austin Thompson (Morris, IL/Morris Community), along with great serving from Jackie Bartnicki (Chicago, IL/Guerin Prep), to jump out to a 10-2 lead and forcing a Alverno timeout. The Inferno would get no closer than within eight points of the Cougars in the set, as CUC finished off the set with a 25-14 win.

Concordia-Chicago struggled in set two, finishing off the set with just five kills on 26 attempts. The Cougars found themselves leading the set at 21-20, but Alverno scored five of the next six points to tie the match up at one set apiece.

The rhythm would be back for CUC in set three. Raven Burns (Shorewood, IL/Minooka) served six straight points to open the set for Concordia-Chicago, forcing a Alverno timeout. The Cougars retained momentum and dominated the set, allowing the Inferno to score back-to-back points just once in the set. CUC rolled to a 25-10 win in the set and set their sights on finishing the match off in set four.

The fourth set would be much of the same. The Cougars got kills from Sarah Smith (St. Ignace, MI/LaSalle), Nicoletta Crowley (Romeoville, IL/H.S.) and Mary Arredia (Franklin Park, IL/West Leyden), building the lead to 12-3. Crowley also served very well in the set; she would finish with four aces for the match, along with Thompson and Nicole Inwards (Waltham, MN/Blooming Prairie). The Cougars rolled in set four, leading to the 25-11 win and securing the win.

"We controlled the game through our serving," said CUC head coach Troy Campbell about the Cougars' 18 aces. "I thought our offense really showed up, This was a brand new lineup that performed very well, The girls came in and took it as a challenge and executed very well, and I am very proud of them."

When asked about what his team needed to do to make a postseason push, Campbell stated, "I think that we need to play with intensity, support each other, and play loose. I think that we have shown that we can play with anyone, we are more than capable. I am looking forward to playing the second half of our conference schedule and seeing what we can do."

The Cougars will head down Division Street to face NACC-leading Dominican University on Tuesday night. That match is set to start at 7 p.m.