River Forest, Ill. – With the conference season coming to a close this weekend, there is still a lot to be decided for the Concordia University Chicago volleyball team. The Cougars enter the weekend looking to secure their first playoff berth since 2011. The Cougars are looking to secure their spot in the post season and two wins would guarantee the Cougars a spot in the post season. CUC could also move up as high as fourth in the NACC standings to host an opening round playoff game with two wins and a little bit of help this weekend. CUC will close out the weekend with a single non-conference match against UW-Stout on Saturday after the match with Lakeland. 
 
Recent History: The Cougars are 9-6 overall against Marian since 2006, including three straight wins dating back to 2015. CUC defeated Marian 3-0 last season at home, getting 15 kills from Jaylynn Johnson in the win. CUC has not had as much success against Lakeland, dropping the match to the Muskies last season in three sets at home. The Cougars will be facing off with the Blue Devils of UW-Stout for the first time as well on Saturday.
 
About the Cougars: Concordia Chicago comes into the weekend looking to build on their four-game winning streak. The Cougars have not dropped a set during the run. Johnson is pacing the offense during the run, hitting .305 with 53 kills. Shannon Stamp has also been impressive, with 38.5 total points which includes 14 total blocks. The defense has also stepped up, with five Cougars registering double digit digs. CUC also continues to serve tough, coming into the weekend top in the conference with 2.12 aces per set. 
 
 
About the Sabres: Marian comes into the weekend 9-12 overall and 4-6 in the NACC. They currently find themselves on the outside of the NACC playoff picture, needing two wins and some help to find themselves in the post season. Most recently the Sabres dropped a three set match to Concordia Wisconsin on Tuesday on the road. Alexandra Meidl leads the team offensively with 196 kills on the season. Amber Yahr runs the offense as the primary setter for Marian with 499 assists on the year. 
 
About the Muskies: Lakeland comes into the weekend 18-7 overall and 7-2 in the NACC. They find themselves sitting in a tie for third place as of Friday, but have a tough match with Dominican on Friday night at home. They need just one win to secure a playoff spot this season. They are winners of six straight heading into the weekend, most recently defeating Wisconsin Lutheran on the road on Tuesday night in four sets. Lakeland features one of the top attackers in the NACC in Shannon Bishop who has recorded 280 kills on the season. Shelby Welsh is not far behind with 220 kills as well. Emma Bruder ranks in the top five in the conference in digs as well with 358. 
 
About the Blue Devils: Come into the weekend 12-10 overall and 3-2 in the tough WIAC. This will be the second consecutive week that they have played four matches in a weekend. They will play two at Concordia Wisconsin on Friday night before heading to Lakeland to play CUC then Lakeland on Saturday. Last time out the Blue Devils defeated NACC opponent Edgewood in three sets last Saturday. Kennedy Strain ranks fifth in the WIAC in kills, averaging 2.77 kills per set. Jessica DuVal is the top assist leader for Stout, averaging 8.67 assists per set.