River Forest, Ill. – Returning home for the first time in 2018, the Concordia University Chicago Women's Volleyball team played host to Aurora University inside Geiseman Gymnasium tonight. The Cougars played Aurora tough all night, but would come up short in four sets.
In set one, the Spartans came out tough. CUC tried to match in the early goings getting back within 10-7 with
Elise Sombke serving. Aurora was able to slowly build the lead back up though, closing out on a 5-0 run to take set one 25-14.
CUC responded in set two. The Cougars trailed 17-12 late in the set when they started their run. With the senior
Nicoletta Crowley serving, CUC ripped off a 6-0 run to pull even at 17 each. The two teams went back and fourth over the net few points. Aurora led CUC 21-20 when the Cougars responded with another run. A kill by
Jaylynn Johnson got things started, then good serving by
Jennifer Livesay allowed the Cougars to build a 24-21 advantage. Johnson put the finishing touches on the set with a big swing to finish off the set 25-23.
In set three Aurora got their offense going again. The Spartans took a 15-7 led with a 7-0 run midway through the set. The Cougars were unable to get anything going in the set, falling 25-15.
Set four was intense from start to finish. CUC jumped out early to a 6-1 lead with
Alexis Hill serving. Kills by Johnson helped to propel CUC, which forced an Aurora timeout. Aurora was slowly able to work their way back into the set, using a 4-0 run to take a 16-15 lead. The Cougars took the lead back at 19-17 with kills by
Julia Spitelli and Johnson, but Aurora was able to respond, taking the lead back late, to take the match by closing out set for by a score of 25-23.
Johnson finished with 21 kills on the night followed by Spitelli with 16. Crowley finished with 41 assists on the night while Sombke finished with 16 digs. As a team CUC hit .182 on the night, including .321 in set three.
The Cougars will continue their run of games at home with two on Saturday. They will take on Alverno College at noon before taking on Lake Forest at 4:00pm.
