Oct. 15, 2016 - The Concordia University Chicago Cougars took to the road for a back-to-back weekend in Wisconsin. The Cougars' weekend featured two key NACC matchups with playoff implications. CUC first took on Lakeland University on Friday night before heading to Marian University on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars fell in straight sets on Friday night, but turned right around and played arguably their best match of the season on Saturday, sweeping Marian.

In the opening set against Marian, it was a closely-fought battle. The two teams traded points throughout the set. The Cougars were able to create a little breathing space in the middle points. A kill and an ace by Jaylynn Johnson gave CUC a 10-7 lead. They continued to open up the set with a four-point run that had swings by Austin Thompson and Sarah Smith. The teams continued to match point for point from there. The Cougars never allowed Marian to make a run. A final kill by Raven Burns sealed the first set 25-21 victory for CUC.

Set two saw the teams continued to battle tough. Marian grabbed an early lead, but kills by Smith, Burns and Arendia Ruiter brought CUC storming back. Marian was able to reclaim the lead and open up a 22-16 lead late in the set, forcing a CUC timeout. CUC made a fantastic run after the timeout. Beginning with a kill by Thompson with Johnson serving, the Cougars forced errors on Marian's part, ripping off five straight points to get within one. Marian got within one point of taking the set, but the Cougars kept composed and fought back once again. Thompson kept CUC alive with a kill. Then, an ace by Nikki Crowley got CUC trying to make a full comeback. A Burns kill kept things rolling to tie the set at 24. Finally an attack error and an ace by Crowley finished the set for an exciting 26-24 set two win.

Set three really tested the Cougars' resolve. Marian came out very strong on their Senior Day in set three to try and avoid the sweep. They opened up a large 9-0 lead to start the set. CUC started to battle back with a 5-0 run with two kills by Smith, and single kills by Thompson and Burns. CUC continued to trail later into the set at 19-13. A 6-1 run by CUC was fueled by a kill by Burns, and strong serving from Thompson and Hannah Johnson.  The final run for the Cougars was fueled by strong serving once again. A 5-0 run to close out the match began with CUC trailing 22-21. The power of Ruiter's jump serve was too much to handle for Marian. Kills by Thompson and Ruiter also contributed to the closing run. CUC took set three to complete the sweep 25-22.

"Our girls came ready to play today," remarked CUC head coach Troy Campbell. "Our service game really came together and played a huge part in this match against Marian. We showed composure, tenacity and everything that you want out of your team. Raven was also a key part in this, playing in my eyes one of the best matches she has in her career for us."

Thompson led the way with 12 kills, followed with Burns with 10. Crowley finished with 30 assists on the day as well.
 
On Friday night, the Cougars took to the floor against the Lakeland College Muskies. CUC fell quickly in set one. In set two, the Cougars built a lead out to 17-8, but the Muskies came storming back behind strong serving to take set two. Set three featured 10 ties and six lead changes, but ultimately CUC fell in the third set as well.

The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday night when they take on NACC opponent Benedictine University from the north court inside Geiseman Gymnasium. Opening serve is scheduled for 7:00pm.