Plymouth, Wis.—After clinching their first NACC playoff spot for the first time since 2011, the Concordia University Chicago Volleyball team took to the floor twice today at Lakeland University as the regular season winds down. The Cougars fell in both matches in three sets, first to the host Lakeland University, then to non-conference opponent UW-Stout.
 
In set one, the two playoff bound teams battled tough through the early points. CUC answered a 4-0 Lakeland run with one of their own, with two kills by Jaylynn Johnson and an Elise Sombke ace. The Muskies were able to open up a 21-16 advantage in the set. CUC pulled back within 21-19 with two aces by Nicoletta Crowley. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Lakeland was able to hold on to take set one 25-20.
 
CUC was able to answer in set two. With the score close early, CUC was able to open a little breathing room with a 5-0 run. Two Julia Beers aces sandwiched a Johnson kill that helped propel the run and CUC to an 11-5 lead. Lakeland continued to inch their way back into the set, but a Julia Spitelli kill and another Beers ace helped CUC to extend their advantage out to 20-15. The Cougars were able to close out set two with a Spitelli kill, taking set two 25-21.
 
Lakeland was able to steal momentum back in set three. A 9-0 run for the Muskies allowed them to open a 13-3 early lead. The Cougars were unable to get any rally going during the set, as Lakeland closed out set three 25-13.
 
In set four Lakeland opened up another early advantage with a 5-0 run. CUC found themselves trailing 19-12 late in the set. They were able to get back in it with a 5-0 run which included a Beers ace and two kills by Johnson. Unfortunately for the Cougars they would be unable to complete the comeback in the set, falling 25-22.
 
Spitelli led CUC with 14 kills in the game followed by Johnson with 12. Crowley finished with 36 assists while three Cougars finished with double digit digs.
 
In the second match, CUC struggled to get things going. Stout took the early lead in set one, but the Cougars were able to tie the set up at eight with a Crowley ace. The Blue Devils then used a 5-0 run to open up an advantage in the set, and they continued to build throughout, taking set one 25-15.
 
Set two was similar to set one. CUC played Stout close through the early points, but another 5-0 run gave the Blue Devils an advantage that the Cougars couldn't overcome, falling 25-17.
 
Stout was able to ride the momentum into set three, building a 23-9 advantage at one point. CUC did get themselves back in the set with a 6-0 run which included a kill by Shelby Spitz. Ultimately Stout took the set 25-18 to take the match in straight sets.
 
The Cougars will have a week till their next matches. They will close out the regular season on the road at the Benedictine Invitational next Saturday October 27. CUC will either be the five or six seed in the upcoming NACC Tournament which begins on October 30.