March 2, 2019 - Coming off a four-set loss in Milwaukee Friday night, the Concordia-Chicago men's volleyball team was off to Chicago's southern suburbs this morning for matches against host Trinity Christian College and Saint Xavier University While the Cougars' effort was there against the two NAIA schools, the execution was problematic for the entire day.
The Cougars paired up with the host Trolls in the first half of the "doubleheader." In set one,
Matthew Geiser served up three points in a row, including a service ace, as CUC took a 6-2 lead. But with the lead at 7-3, TCC scored five straight points, three of them caused by CUC errors. Later in the set, a 4-0 run by the Trolls put them in control, and they went on to win the opening set by a 25-18 score.
Concordia-Chicago's hitting improved in set two, but they were unable to make any sustained run of points. Trinity Christian led for all but the earliest moments of the set, and the Trolls won 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.Â
Set three was close in the early going until a 5-0 run gave TCC a 13-9 lead. Concordia-Chicago rallied, however, as
Trent Weber provided the assist on three consecutive
Skyler Versendaal kills. Following a TCC timeout, Weber set up
Ryan Felbinger as CUC grabbed a 20-18 lead. The Trolls made it tough as they staved off three Cougar attempts at set point. Finally, with the score tied 25-25, kills by
Brian Perez and Geiser put CUC back in the match, trailing just 2-1.
Unfortunately for CUC, a slew of hitting errors in set four made the mountain steeper. A 5-0 run let the hosts take charge at 11-4, and four consecutive errors allowed the Trolls to score the final four points, winning the set 25-16 and the match 3-1.Â
Versendaal led CUC with 17 kills (.211) and 10 digs, while Weber finished with 43 assists.
The Cougars' task was no easier as they prepared to take on Saint Xavier, ranked tenth in the NAIA. In set one, the Cougars would have a negative attack percentage as SXU (also nicknamed the Cougars) bolted to a 10-3 lead and never looked back, winning 25-12.
Concordia-Chicago showed some life early in set two. Tied 3-3,
Virgilio Rodriguez book-ended a 4-0 run with a kill to start it and an ace to end it. The CUC lead lasted until the midway part of the set when SXU scored six straight points to grab a 16-10 lead. Moments later, a 4-0 run would further seal the deal, and SXU took the 2-0 match lead with a 25-17 win.
Set three saw CUC looking to extend the match, and for a while, their odds were favorable. Concordia-Chicago took a quick 5-1 lead, and even though Saint Xavier caught up, the maroon and gold roared later in the set and took a 20-15 advantage. Once again, SXU fought back, but
Anthony Galindo's kill put CUC at the verge of victory at 24-22. That final point never came for CUC, however, as SXU scored the final four points and completed the sweep with a 26-24 win.
With today's two matches completed, the Cougars' road swing of 15 matches is at an end. Concordia-Chicago (4-11) will open its home schedule next Saturday, March 9 when they host Concordia University Wisconsin at 1 p.m.
Â
Â
