RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Looking to get going in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play, the Concordia University Chicago Women's Volleyball team will return to action Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee. They will take on the Alverno Inferno, a team that the Cougars have had success against in recent history.
Series History: The Cougars have had a lot of success recently against the Inferno. CUC is 16-1 against Alverno since the 2001 season, and has won four in a row. The lone loss for CUC came on October 25, 2014 in River Forest. CUC is a perfect 8-0 on the road during the stretch. The Cougars defeated Alverno 3-0 last season inside Geiseman Gymnasium.
Julia Spitelli led the Cougars that night with 11 kills, while CUC piled up seven aces and eight blocks.
About the Cougars: CUC comes into Saturday's match 6-12 overall and 0-2 in the NACC. The Cougars are looking to end a six match losing streak, though they have faced very tough competition during the span. Serving and blocking continue to be the strong points of this team in 2019. CUC currently ranks 14
th nationally in total blocks and 21
st in team service aces. Leading the way behind the service line for CUC are
Julia Beers and
Alyssa Henline who are tied for 27
th nationally with 34 aces this season.
Shannon Stamp leads the Cougar block up front with 50 total blocks this season. She ranks 40
th nationally and first in the NACC.
Caroline Gibbons is right behind Stamp with 47 blocks on the season which is second in the NACC.
About the Inferno: Alverno comes into Saturday's action 1-13 overall and 0-2 in the NACC. Most recently the Inferno lost in three sets to Lakeland on Tuesday night. This season the Inferno have played just one match that has gone more than three sets, including their win. Freshman Kierra Sherlock leads the Inferno offensively this season with 107 kills on the year. Next closest is Neilee Newtown with 60. Alex McMath is the team's primary setter this season. The sophomore has 223 assists on the year.
Up Next: The Cougars will have six days to get ready for their next NACC action. They will welcome MSOE to Geiseman Gymnasium next Friday night before heading to Concordia Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon.
