River Forest, Ill.- The Concordia-Chicago volleyball team took on Dominican University in a big Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference match. Before the match the Cougars honored Alyssa Serewicz and Austin Thompson in a Senior Night ceremony. Not only was it Senior night, but CUC was also looking to clinch a playoff berth on their home court to send the seniors out in the best way possible. Concordia-Chicago stormed out to a 2-0 set lead and had the gym rocking. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Dominican stormed all the way back and forced a set five. Set five was a roller coaster ride of emotions but the Stars outlasted the CUC attack and completed their comeback (22-25, 21-25, 25-15, 27-25, 15-10).

On a night dedicated to breast cancer awareness, the whole crowd was filled with CUC students wearing different shades of pink and cheering on the ladies. Early on in the match, after the Cougars fell behind 5-2, they found themselves fighting back to even up the score and trading points with the Stars. Midway through the match, Concordia-Chicago finally gained control of their first lead of the game making it 13-12 off of a side-out by Dominican. Led by Jaylynn Johnson and company, the Cougars added a few more points to their lead making it 15-12. Nearing the conclusion of set one, the Cougars held the lead by their finger tips and after a Johnson kill took a 21-19 lead. Three quick DU points swung the momentum and made the score 22-21 which forced the Cougars to call a timeout. The Cougars regroup helped them jump into the lead at 23-22 and forced the Stars into their second and final timeout of set one. CUC stayed hot and shot down the Stars chances of winning set one with great defensive play. The first set ended with a 25-22 final score in favor of Concordia-Chicago.

With the crowd fully into it, the Cougars looked to use the momentum from set one to propel them to a good start in set two. Dominican did not let CUC climb away and kept the score tied early at 7-7. The Cougars claimed their first lead of the match at 8-7 after a Thompson kill. Soon after, Julia Spitelli did her best impression of a brick wall and blocked an attack by the Stars front row. The block made DU call their first timeout of the match with the score sitting at 11-8. After the timeout, Dominican fought back to take the lead at 15-13 after a couple of Cougar miscues. Back in control, the CUC attack was running smoother and helped them take the lead back at 20-19. The late lead change convinced the Stars to take their final timeout of set two. Concordia-Chicago stood strong and took set two. After their win in set two, the Cougars were completely in the driver's seat with a dominant 2-0 lead. 

Controlling their own destiny, CUC was looking to close the match out in as few sets as possible. Unlike the first two sets, the Cougars jumped out to an early lead. DU in survival mode, squashed the early momentum and took a 9-5 trying to avoid a sweep by their rival. Concordia-Chicago held their ground and tried to bring themselves back into the set. Over halfway through set three, the Stars dominated with a score of 17-8. After a well needed timeout, the Cougars comeback hopes were slowly running out as the score sat at 20-12. DU cruised to a 25-15 set three win. 

A Dominican set three win, put a little pressure on CUC's back and heightened the intensity for set four. Concordia-Chicago found their groove again after a long rally ending in a Shannon Stamp block, but still trailed 4-3. Defense and Johnson were on full display, keeping the Cougars in the set with acrobatic plays. Halfway through set four, the score was tied 12-12. After a Stars rally pushing the lead to 16-13, CUC decided to call their first timeout of the set. Senior leader Thompson opened up with a kill immediately after the timeout. Back and forth action kept set four close as both teams raced to twenty-five. More intense play shortened the race to three points. DU took a timeout, and both teams reared up for an exciting finish. Dominican took the lead 24-23 and the Cougars called their first timeout in hopes to keep the set alive. Spitelli fired up the crowd with a kill to even up the game at 24-24. Spitelli cocked back and evened up the score again at 25-25. Cougars served but once again fell behind 26-25. The Stars finished out set four and forced a set five. 

After stealing set three and four, Dominican forced a set five. Both teams were fifteen points away from a rival win and getting to add ten points to their respective sides in the battle for the River Forest Rivalry Cup. DU came out with much of the same energy in the last set and took a quick 2-0 lead. Nicoletta Crowley set up Johnson for the first two scores for Concordia-Chicago. Moving along through the set Dominican led 8-7. The Stars stayed ahead 10-8 and forced CUC to call a timeout. Timeout number two came with the score falling out of Concordia-Chicago's reach at 12-9. With a playoff spot dangling in front of their heads the Cougars needed to find an extra gear. DU finished out set five and completed their comeback which crushed CUC's playoff chances.

The Cougars (18-11, 5-6 NACC) will finish out their season with a tournament at Aurora this weekend on October 27th and 28th. The first match is set for 4:00 p.m. at Aurora.  A final Congratulations to the two seniors; Thompson, and Serewicz, good luck in your future.