RIVER FOREST, Ill.-- After enjoying the friendly confines of Geiseman Gymnasium for the first four matches of 2019, the Concordia University Chicago Women's Volleyball team hit the road for the first time this season today. They would earn a split in two neutral site matches, dropping the opening game of the weekend 3-1 despite taking the opening set from Nebraska Wesleyan. CUC then rebounded with a complete performance in a 3-0 sweep of Crown College.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:
- Alyssa Henline led CUC with a double-double in match one (11 kills, 10 digs). She finished with a team high 18 kills in the two matches.
- Jaylynn Johnson hit .533 against Crown with eight kills and no errors.
- Kelly Gootee led the way with 30 assists on the day.
- CUC held Crown to just a .021 hitting percentage, a season high.
MATCH ONE vs. Nebraska Wesleyan (L 1-3)
The Cougars got out to a quick start in the opening match. Kills by
Tori Steele,
Julia Spitelli and Helnline helped to propel CUC to a 12-4 lead in set one. Nebraska Wesleyan fought back to within 14-10 before Johnson stopped the run with a kill from Gootee. A
Julia Beers ace and another Johnson kill opened the lead back to seven. CUC built the lead out to as many as 11 in the set and closed out set one 25-15.
In set two the two teams traded points in the early going. CUC grabbed a 9-7 lead midway through the set on three straight Nebraska Wesleyan errors. The Prairie Wolves then went on a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead at 12-7. CUC tried to keep things close but Nebraska Wesleyan closed on a 8-3 run to take set two 25-17.
CUC opened set one quickly with kills by
Shannon Stamp and Steele to take a 4-1 lead. The Prairie Wolves worked their way back to take a 14-10 lead midway through the set. CUC then pulled back within one on a Henline ace. The Prairie Wolves were able to extend their lead to 23-19 late in the set, but CUC was able to answer with a block by
Caroline Gibbons and three Henline kills to help propel CUC back into the lead at 24-23. The Cougars were unable to protect the lead as Nebraska Wesleyan closed out set three with three points to take the set 26-24.
Set four saw both sides trade early points. An ace by
Alexa Lomantini helped to expand a CUC lead to 11-8. Nebraska Wesleyan then answered again with a 6-1 run to take the lead back. CUC was able to tie the set at 18, but the Prairie Wolves closed the set and match out on a 4-0 run to take set four 25-21.
GAME TWO vs. Crown (W 3-0)
CUC and Crown traded early points in set one. CUC broke the set open midway through the set with a 6-0 run to take a 13-8 lead. Kills by
Julia Spitelli, Johnson and Gibbons powered the run. CUC continued to add on late, closing on a 7-2 run with kills by Spitelli, Stamp and Steele to take set one 25-16.
In set two CUC used three aces to quickly jump out to a 7-2 lead. The Cougars made their lead 15-5 with a run with Gootee serving. Crown was able to climb back within four, but the Cougars were able to stop the rally, getting a kills by Spitelli and Johnson to take set two 25-17.
CUC grabbed early control in set three. They used a 10-1 run to take a 12-5 lead with Stamp serving. Crown tried to battle back once again, getting within 17-14. The Cougars got things going offensively once again though to take set three 25-19 to close out the match in straight sets.
The Cougars will return to action tomorrow morning at 10:00am when they take on the tournament host Northland College. CUC will then take on the College of St.Scholastica to close out the weekend at noon.
