Milwaukee, Wis.- Just over 24 hours after picking up an important win over Alverno, the Concordia University Chicago Volleyball team took to the court tonight against Wisconsin Lutheran College in an even more critical NACC contest. The Warriors came into the match just one game ahead of CUC in the NACC standings. After a match that had a playoff like atmosphere, CUC and WLC are now in a virtual tie for the sixth and final playoff spot with one game remaining. This is because of a 3-2 (25-19, 25-17, 30-32, 22-25, 16-14) win over the Warriors on the road.
 
"I'm still catching my breath," remarked head coach Troy Campbell. "Proud is the word that comes to my head about tonight. To come out and execute the game plan early, and then battle back from down 14-11 in the fifth set shows what this team is capable of. Honestly, this is one of the most memorable wins in my time here."
 
In set one, the teams battled through the early points before WLC was able to separate themselves from the Cougars with a 4-0 run that opened up a 13-8 advantage and forced a Cougar timeout. CUC answered with a 6-0 run of their own that was powered by the serving of Shannon Stamp and kills by Austin Thompson and Julia Spitelli that pushed the Cougars into the lead 17-16. The teams continued to battle tough until Courtney Luciano stepped to the service line for the Cougars. Luciano served the final five points of the set, with an ace, and kills by Jaylynn Johnson and Alexa Lomantini to take set one 25-19.
 
Set two saw CUC open up a 7-2 lead early behind a 5-0 run that was powered with Nicoletta Crowley serving. The Warriors slowly fought back to pull within one point at 13-12, but the Cougars were able to fire off another big 7-0 run. The run started with a big swing by Johnson then continued with kills by Lomantini and Stamp with Elise Sombke serving. The Cougars continued to cruse in set two, with Thompson getting the kill off the right side to seal set two 25-17.
 
Set three was as compeditive as it gets. The two teams left everything on the floor in the set, with neither team able to gain more than a four point lead in the set. Trailing late in set three, CUC got kills by Spitelli and Stamp to tie the set at 24. Both teams then continued to battle with Spitelli and Thompson fueling the Cougar offense. Unfortunately for CUC, Wisconsin Lutheran was able to score the final two points of the set to avoid the sweep 32-30.
 
WLC got off to a strong start in set four and never looked back, though CUC did pull within one at 21-20 late in the set. The Cougars comeback in set four came up short as the Warriors forced a decisive set five 25-22.
 
In set five, the crowd came to full throat as both teams took the floor. CUC struck first jumping out to a 5-1 lead with two kills and an ace by Crowley which forced a Warrior timeout. WLC fought back to tie the set at six and then took the lead as the set reached the later points. With Wisconsin Lutheran leading 14-11, coach Campbell took the final timeout. A bad set by the Warriors pulled CUC within one and an attack error tied the set at 14. After a WLC timeout Crowley's serve was placed perfect near the line on the left side to give CUC the advantage. Then it was Johnson with the final kill to seal the match for the Cougars.
 
Johnson led CUC with 15 kills in the match followed by Thompson with 12 and Spitelli with 11. As a team, the Cougars hit .230 for the match. Crowley led the team in assists with 47, while Sombe finished with a team high 23 digs.
 
The Cougars (18-10; 5-5 NACC) will continue their playoff push on Tuesday night when they welcome Division Street rival Dominican to Geiseman Gymnasium. It will be a Pink Out, with first serve set for 7:00pm.