Sept. 27, 2016 - The Concordia University Chicago Cougars returned home for just their second home match in the 2016 season. CUC was looking to get off to a 2-0 start in the conference when they took on the Aurora Spartans. The strong attack of Aurora proved to be too much to handle for the Cougars, as CUC fell in three sets (11-25, 14-25, 13-25).

In set one, CUC got early kills from Sarah Smith and Jaylynn Johnson to keep close with the Spartans. With the score tied 3-3, Aurora went on a five-point run and continued to extend the lead to 12-5, forcing a Cougar timeout. The Cougars tried to fight back with kills by Arendia Ruiter and Austin Thompson, but it was not enough as CUC fell 25-11 in the set.

In set two, Aurora jumped out quickly to a 4-0 lead forcing a CUC timeout. The Cougars tried to fight back with kills by Johnson and Ruiter and a dual block by the two freshmen. Thomson brought the Cougars within 6-5 to continue the run with a booming kill off the left side. The Spartans make a run to extend the lead out to 14-8 but another big swing by Ruiter kept CUC close for the moment. The Cougars took their second timeout with the score 18-10. Kills by Thompson and Ruiter tried once again to get the comeback started, but it would come up short with the Cougars falling in set two 25-14.

In set three, CUC got a big energy boost with a big kill by Smith. CUC led 2-1 after the kill. Aurora stormed back quickly. To take an 11-7 lead forcing a CUC timeout. Thompson answered out of the timeout with a kill to get a little closer, but errors allowed Aurora to stretch the lead out farther.  CUC would be unable to get any rally going in the third. Aurora took the third set 25-13 to complete the three set sweep.

Ruiter led the Cougars with 10 kills on the match. Thompson finished with seven. Hannah Johnson led the Cougars in digs with nine, while Nicoletta Crowley led with 22 assists.
 
The Cougars (2-14 1-1 NACC) will hit the road again on Friday when they take on the Milwaukee School of Engineering from Milwaukee. CUC will then return home on Saturday to take on Concordia Wisconsin from Geiseman on Saturday.