Sept. 16, 2017 - After two tough matches the day before, the Concordia University Chicago Cougar Volleyball team closed out their four-game weekend today with two matches. The first came against a tough St. Mary's (IN) side who was able to do just enough in sets three and four to push past CUC. Then it was all Cougars in the second match, making quick work of Robert Morris-Springfield in three sets.
 
In match one, St. Mary's was able to control the first set by limiting the Cougar attack. The CUC attack was able to generate just eight kills in the set on 35 attempts. Set two though saw the Cougars get back to their strong offensive ways including Jaylynn Johnson hammering home five kills on six attempts in the set. CUC Found themselves trailing 14-11 midway through the set before a kill by Julia Spitelli inched CUC closer. Then back to back aces by Kelly Gootee put CUC in the lead 15-14. The Cougar block rose to the challenge with a Shelby Spitz and Spitelli block that tied the set at 24 and provided CUC the momentum to take the set 26-24.
 
Set three saw both teams matching kill for kill until late in the set. After a CUC timeout with the Cougars trailing 22-19, an ace by Nicoletta Crowley and a kill by Jennifer Livesay helped to power a run that put CUC in the lead at 24-22. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they were unable to put a final point away in the set, leaving just enough opportunity for St. Mary's to take the set 28-26.
 
After the heartbreaking set before, CUC was unable to get things going in set four falling 25-12. Jaylynn Johnson lead the team with 16 kills in the match with no errors on 28 attempts. Livesay also played well to finish with eight kills and ten digs.
 
Match two saw CUC dominate from start to finish over Robert Morris from Springfield. In set one, Livesay and Johnson combined for seven of the eight kills in the set while Elise Sombke recorded three aces from the service line. Set two was much of the same with CUC swinging at a .324 clip lead by Spitz with four kills on five attempts. Spitz and Crowley helped to propel the Cougars to the three-set sweep with four kills apiece. Allaina Dellert also played well in the set, with four digs.
 
Spitz led the very balanced attack with nine kills and no errors. As a team, the Cougars finished with a .384 hitting percentage. Samantha Houser and Crowley combined for 30 assists in the match.
 
The Cougars (11-4, 1-0 NACC) now will prepare for their second match of NACC play when they travel to Aurora on Wednesday night with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.