September 30, 2016- The Concordia University Chicago Cougars hit the road for their second true road conference test of the season. CUC entered the match looking to start 2-0 on the road in Milwaukee tonight. Unfortunately the Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders had different plans. The Raiders were able to defend their home floor of the Kern Center defeating CUC 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 14-25, 12-25).

In set one, MSOE jumped out quickly to a lead but CUC was able to take advantage of multiple Raider attack errors to tie the first set up at 8-8. Three straight kills by Jaylynn Johnson, Arendia Ruiter, and Raven Burns with Hannah Johnson serving, gave CUC the 12-11 lead in the set.  MSOE clawed back to tie the set at 13.  CUC gained the lead one last time in the set at 14-13 with a kill by Ruiter. MSOE answered with a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead in the set. The run proved to be too much to overcome, with CUC falling in the first set 25-20.

In set two, with the score 3-3 CUC went on a 7-1 run to claim a 10-4 lead with Austin Thompson serving. MSOE tried to climb back and got within 14-13 in the set. A big service ace by Nicoletta Crowley proved to be important to turn the momentum in the set and stop the Raider run. CUC continued to push forward in the set, getting the final four of five kills from Ruiter, with a booming kill by J.Johnson part of the final run to allow CUC to take set two 25-19.

In set three, CUC looked to carry the momentum from the second set win. CUC opened the set with a kill by Thompson. The teams battled in the early points of the set.  A kill by Sarah Smith extended the Cougar lead, but MSOE came roaring back to tie the set at ten. MSOE continued to steal the momentum from there going on a 15-4 run to close the third set out 25-14 over CUC.

In set four, the Cougars tried to battle back to extend the match to a decisive fifth set. Kills by J.Johnson and Thompson propelled CUC to an early 5-2 lead in the set. The Raiders fought back quickly to take the lead momentarily in the set. Three straight Cougar kills had the Cougars on a roll, but MSOE answered with a 14-0 run to roll to the fourth set victory to seal the match 3-1.

Ruiter and Thompson led the way with 13 and 11 kills respectively. H.Johnson chipped in a game high 21 digs, and Crowley finished with 33 assists.

The Cougars will have a quick turnaround when they take on rival Concordia University Wisconsin tomorrow from Geiseman Gymnasium. Opening serve from the North Gym is scheduled for 12:00pm