Plymouth, Wis. – After finishing the 2018 regular season in fifth place of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference standings, the Concordia University Chicago volleyball team took to the floor on the road at Lakeland University. In front of a hostile environment the Cougars battled tough for three sets but would ultimately fall short in opening round.
 
In set one, the Cougars fell behind early when the Muskies scored the first three points. CUC got things going with a kill by Julia Spitelli. Lakeland opened up some breathing room though with a 4-0 run to extend their lead to 11-5. CUC tried to rally late with kills by Shannon Stamp and Nicoletta Crowley but ultimately came up short by a 25-17 final in set one
 
CUC grabbed an early lead in set two with renewed energy. Again it was Crowley and Spitelli that helped to power the Cougars in front. Lakeland fought back with a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead at 10-5. CUC pulled back within 11-9 on a Jaylynn Johnson kill and a Stamp and Jennifer Livesay block. Lakeland again worked their lead back up, closing out set two 25-20.
 
In set three the Cougars came out strong, taking the first three points, which included a Julia Beers ace and a kill by Johnson. CUC continued to work with a lead, getting kills by Johnson and Livesay again to extend the lead to 6-3. Lakeland battled back to take the lead with a 3-0 run at 10-8. CUC continued to keep it close until the Muskies were able to use a 7-1 run to take a 17-12 lead. Unfortunately for the Cougars they would be unable to mount a comeback, falling in set three 25-20.
 
CUC hit .126 as a team on the night. Stamp, Johnson and Spitelli all finished with eight kills on the night. Crowley finished with 26 assists and Elise Sombke led with 16 digs.
 
The Cougars finish the 2018 season with a 13-16 record and their first playoff appearance since 2011. CUC graduates just one senior in Crowley, who finishes her career second in school history in assists.