PELLA, IOWA --  After two hard fought matches yesterday, the Concordia University Chicago completed the four match weekend in Iowa today against Wartburg and Central College. The Cougars played the Knights tough in the opening match of the day but fell in three. CUC then fell in three to the host Central College to close the weekend.
 
MATCH ONE vs. Wartburg
 
In the opening match against Wartburg the Knights jumped out a 14-6 lead. The Cougars never recovered, falling 25-13.
 
In set two the two sides keep things close. A Julia Spitelli kill opened up a 16-13 lead. Wartburg worked their way back to tie the set at 19. CUC then went on a 3-0 run with a kills by Alyssa Henline and Chloe Martin to go along with a Kelly Gootee ace to open a 22-19 lead. The Knights rallied one more time, and were eventually able to complete the comeback to take set two 29-27.
 
Wartburg was able to fight off a valiant comeback effort in set three to down CUC 25-23.
 
MATCH TWO vs. Central
 
In the opening set against Central the opposition opened up an early 7-1 lead. They continued to add on throughout the set, building the lead up to as many as 13 in the set. The Dutch took set one 25-12.
 
CUC got off to a strong start in set two with a 4-0 run. Central then fought back to tie the set at 10-10. The Dutch then went on a 8-3 run to force a CUC timeout. The Cougars fought back to get back within one, but the Dutch closed out set two 25-20.
 
In set three the Dutch grabbed an early lead. CUC worked to get back in the set but Central closed out the three set sweep 25-19.
 
The Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday night when they head out to Aurora for their second match of NACC play.