The young 2016 season has been full of challenges for the Concordia University Chicago Cougars Volleyball team. They took to the road once again today, this time heading to Richmond, Indiana for the Quaker Classic hosted on the campus of Earlham College. The day would prove to not be very friendly to the Cougars, who fell in straight sets  to Franklin College (17-25, 8-25, 15-25) and Transylvania (11-25, 17-25, 14-25).

In the first match against Franklin the Grizzlies came out and took control from the opening serve. The Grizzlies jumped to a 10-5 lead to force a CUC timeout. CUC showed fight in the set getting kills from the three freshman Jaylynn Johnson (Denver, CO, Vista Peak), Arendia Ruiter (Kane'ohe, HI, Moanalua), and Calista Chaltron (Richmond, MI, Cardinal Mooney Catholic) to get within 17-15 forcing a Franklin timeout.  Franklin came focused out of the timeout, scoring eight of the next ten points to take the opening set.

The second and third sets were all in favor of the Grizzlies. Using their blocking ability to keep the Cougars from getting their offensive attack going, Franklin took both sets handily to take the opening match of the tournament.

In the second match against Transylvania the Cougars came out with a focused energy, but the Pioneers played nearly flawless defense to keep CUC from mounting a comeback. In set one Sarah Smith (St. Ignace, MI, LaSalle) provided an early spark attacking from the middle. The Pioneers continued to try and pull away from CUC but a perfect long tip by Johnson tied the set at ten. Transylvania made a long run following that point though to take set one, finishing on a 15-1 run.

Set two CUC fell behind in the early points, but Nicoletta Crowley (Romeoville, IL, Romeoville) and Chaltron provided the firepower to tie the set at six. A short run by the Pioneers forced a CUC timeout with the score 10-6. CUC fought back within one out of the timeout, with their best stretch of defensive play of the day. The Cougars kept fighting close in the set, but errors deterred any extended run allowing Transylvania to take set two.  The Pioneers continued to ride the momentum into the third set finishing the match in straight sets.

The Cougars look to rebound as they finish the weekend taking on the host school Earlham College tomorrow at 11am (CST). Live stats and video provided by Earlham College will be available.

Live Video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVP9Ws1jouOIlikuTJnzLog
Live Stats:  http://www.goearlham.com/sports/wvball/2016-17/boxscores/20160911_x1kc.xml