Sept. 20, 2015 - For the second consecutive weekend, the Concordia-Chicago volleyball team traveled far to compete in four matches as part of tournament play. But while the venue was different this time - Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL - the results were oddly very similar. Again, the Cougars started the weekend with two wins on the first day, only to fall in two close matches on day two.

The Cougars opened the tournament on Sept. 18 with a rematch against Earlham College, host of last weekend's action. The first match between these two saw the Cougars defeat the Quakers in four, but this time, CUC dispatched Earlham in three (25-19, 26-24, 25-19). Austin Thompson (Morris, IL/Morris Community) continued her powerful hitting of recent matches with 15 kills and a .433 attack. Raven Burns (Shorewood, IL/Minooka) and Emily Marcus (Chesterton, IN/H.S.) each added six kills while Olivia Friedrichs (San Diego, CA/Clairemont) recorded six of the Cougars' 14 serving aces.


Next up for CUC was Robert Morris University of Springfield, IL.  Once again, the Cougars took care of business in a fast and efficient three sets (25-16, 25-16, 25-14). Thompson led in kills for a second straight match with 11 but also served up four of CUC's 11 aces. Setter Nicoletta Crowley (Romeoville, IL/H.S.) handed out 21 assists but also chipped in with 10 digs and three aces.

Looking to move above .500 for the season, the Cougars faced Wisconsin Lutheran College on Saturday afternoon. The two conference rivals (playing in a non-NACC match this time) engaged in a long and grueling match. It appeared as if it would also be a quick one as the Cougars took the first two sets, 25-23 and 25-20. The Warriors took set three 25-1, and then came the critical fourth. The closest set of the weekend ensued as either team had a shot at victory but, in the end, WLC eked out a 27-25 win to tie the match 2-2. Buoyed by the momentum, the Warriors won set five handily 15-5 to hand the Cougars a stunning setback.

Hitting leaders for the Cougars included Thompson with 23 while Marcus, Mary Arredia (Franklin Park, IL/West Leyden) and Anna Kellar)Collinsville, IL/Metro-East Lutheran) each added nine. Defensive leaders for the Cougars included Friedrichs with 34 and Marcus with 27.

The final match of the weekend pitted CUC against the host team. All three sets were tightly contested, but it was Illinois College that prevailed in a sweep, winning by 25-22, 26-24 and 25-20. Thompson wrapped up another solid weekend with 15 kills while Arredia added a season-best 10 kills and 13 digs.

The Cougars (5-7) will open Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 23 when they host Rockford University at 7 p.m.