River Forest, Ill. – After picking up an important NACC win over Alverno in the early match, the Concordia University Chicago Volleyball team took to the floor once again this afternoon. This time they would take on Lake Forest College in a non-conference matchup. CUC came out firing in the early goings, but Lake Forest found a way to hang around long enough to take the Cougars down in five sets.
In set one, the two teams battled nearly even through the early points, a 4-0 Foresters run erased the CUC lead at 8-7. The Cougars countered with back-to-back kills by
Jaylynn Johnson and a block by
Shannon Stamp to regain the lead. CUC was able to open up the set late. Kills again by Johnson and a block by Johnson and Stamp helped to propel CUC to a 19-14 lead. The Cougars would not relinquish the lead, getting a kill by
Julia Spitelli to help seal the set 25-18.
In set two, Lake Forest quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead to begin the set. The Cougars used a run of their own to get back in the set at 7-6, but Lake Forest used another 4-0 run to expand the lead to 11-6. Unfortunately for CUC, the Foresters were able to expand the lead to take the set 25-20.
The Cougars were able to get momentum back in set three. The Foresters held the lead early on in the set, but the CUC block helped to pull the Cougars back in front at 6-4. The teams continued to play close into the middle points, but CUC was able to build up some breathing room with a 4-0 run that was powered by two
Chloe Martin kills. CUC continued to hold the margin, and closed out the set with a booming kill by Johnson off the left side to take the set 25-19.
Much like set two, the Cougars found themselves in a hole early in set four. Lake Forest built up a healthy 11-6 margin early on in the set, and kept CUC chasing. The Cougars were unable to make a run in the set, falling 25-10 to force a decisive fifth set.
The intensity rose in set five, as the two teams matched each other point for point through the early goings. Lake Forest opened up a small two point advantage at 9-7 just over midway through. The Cougars fought to get back in the set, but service errors prevented the Cougars from making a run, falling by a final of 15-11.
Johnson led the offense with 20 kills on the afternoon, followed by Spitelli with 14.
Nicoletta Crowley finished with 39 digs, while
Elise Sombke and
Julia Beers both finished with double digit digs.
The Cougars will ready for rival Concordia Wisconsin as they close out their four game home stand on Wednesday night. Opening serve is set for 7:00pm from Geiseman.
