River Forest, IL- On senior night in Geiseman Gymnasium, Concordia Chicago (8-12, 3-4 NACC) took on Rockford University (4-17, 0-7 NACC) while celebrating senior captain Nicoletta Crowley. In front of a packed Geiseman Gymnasium, the Cougars came out ready to go from the opening serve, taking the match in straight sets.
 
In the first set, the Cougars went on a six point run with Elise Sombke serving before the Regents could get their first point. Kills by Jaylynn Johnson and Shannon Stamp helped to fuel the run.
 
Rockford was unable to gain any momentum as the Cougars forced a timeout, leaving the score 15-5. Johnson and Julia Spitelli netted kills during the run, while Crowley picked up an ace.
 
With a score of 23-12, the Cougars regained control and were able to take set one with kills by Shelby Spitz and Spitelli to close out the set 25-13.
 

VB: Julia Spitelli with the kill that gives the Cougars set 1 over the Regents!! pic.twitter.com/cGpJ5jNFzi

— CUC Athletics (@CUChicagoSports) October 6, 2018

The start of set two was a slower start for the Cougars, but they were able to tie it up at 7-7 and regained control of the game off of a Spitelli kill.
 
The Regents brought more to the table in set two, giving the Cougars more of a challenge. The Cougars built up a lead once again with a 5-0 run with Stamp serving, while Spitelli picked up three more kills. Cougars were able to hold on to some momentum, bringing the game to set point for the Cougars. A Chloe Martin kill and a Rockford error allowed CUC to take set two 25-14.
  
In the set three, there was no clear advantage early in the set. The Cougars did have a big moment when Crowley picked up her 2828 assist of her career on a Johnson kill. With the assist, Crowley moved into second place all-time in school history.  

VB: This assist marks number 2828 on her career for Senior Nicoletta Crowley, which puts her into 2nd all time in Concordia History!! Congratulations Nikki!! pic.twitter.com/siIuhYaRNF

— CUC Athletics (@CUChicagoSports) October 6, 2018

The Cougars looked to pull away with a 5-1 run midway through the set, but the Regents held on tough.  The Cougars saw a five point lead erased with a Rockford run. The Regents were able to get to set point twice, but CUC was resilient, fighting back to take set three with two booming kills by Johnson off the left side.

VB: Jaylynn Johnson with wins the 3rd set with this absolute monster of a kill!!! Cougars win the game 3-0 over Rockford!! pic.twitter.com/qV1BTCMfw5

— CUC Athletics (@CUChicagoSports) October 6, 2018

 
Johnson led the team with 16 kills on the night, followed by Spitelli with 13. The Cougars were able to hit .282 as a team while limiting Rockford to a .021 hitting percentage. Crowley finished the night with 36 assists and Sombke finished with 16 digs.
 
The Cougars will now ready for a big NACC showdown tomorrow as they welcome Edgewood College to Geiseman Gymnasium for a homecoming matchup. Opening serve is set for 12:00pm.