MEQUON, WIS. --- The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars hope to continue their hot streak against Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) Falcons. Ultimately the Cougars could not prevail, losing to the Falcons 3-1.
Box Score:
Set One
CUC continued their momentum from the weekend scoring the first point. However, the Falcons responded sharply, scoring a service ace during a four-point rally 4-1.
The Cougars attempted to stop the bleeding with McKayla LeVoy (Kankakee, Ill.) by adding the first kill for the Cougars 4-2, but the Falcons continued their lead 8-2 forcing the Cougars to a timeout.
The Falcons responded to the iceout with a four-point rally that was stopped by LeVoy 12-3. The Falcons would continue their lead however, a service rally from Vernengo and a kill from Kirsten Bockhorst (Union, Mo.) would attempt to break the Falcons Lead 15-7.
The Falcons would respond swiftly bringing their lead to 22-7. Heywood would put an end to this lead with a back-row attack kill 22-8. Rachel Livesay (Medinah, Ill.) would continue this energy getting a block for the Cougars 22-9.
The Falcons would respond with a two-point rally shut down by a kill from Dicken 24-10. The Falcons would take the first set 25-10.
Set Two
The Cougars, hoping to make an impact, take the first point of the set with a kill from Dicken 1-0. The Falcons would respond hastily, keeping their momentum, and took a five-point lead against the Cougars 6-1.
The wall of Lili Hunt (Greenfield, Ind.) and Vernengo would pave the way for a rally for the Cougars, bringing the score 6-4. Hunt would put the ball away causing the Falcons lead to only one 6-5.
The Falcons would respond with a three-point rally to score 9-5. Hunt came in swinging hot forcing the score 9-6. The Falcons would respond with two points of their own, but Heywood would respond with two kills, while Vernengo would add an ace to the board 11-9.
The Falcons would side out and immediately respond with a service ace to lead the score 13-9. Dicken would stop their rally with a kill 13-10. Heywood would immediately follow this up with an ace 13-11. The Falcons would follow up with a two-point rally 15-11. Kills from Brooke Christensen (Blaine, Minn.) and Hunt would close the score 15-13.
The Cougars would finally take the lead 16-15, but the Falcons would tie the score up 16-16. Dicken swinging hard down the line pushed the Cougars to take the lead. Christensen would follow this up with a kill forcing the Falcons to a time out 18-16.
Dicken would shake off the ice getting a service ace, ushering the score 19-16. The Falcons would attempt to get more numbers on the board, but the outsides Christensen and Heywood would record two kills respectively bringing the Cougars lead 21-17.
Heywood would continue to be a threat for the Falcons adding another kill and block for the Cougars forcing a timeout 23-19. The Falcons would follow up with a three-point rally leading the score 23-22, forcing the Cougars to a time-out. However, a cheeky free ball from Christensen would bring the score 24-22. Heywood's kill would end the set for the Cougars 25-23.
Set Three
Hunt would start the set off the set strong for the Cougars getting a kill 1-0. The Cougars and Falcons would go toe to toe until the Falcons took the lead with a four-point rally of 9-5, forcing a timeout for the Cougars.
Heywood would end the rally for the Falcons with a kill 11-6. The Falcons would respond to the Cougar's attempts with another four-point rally forcing another timeout for the Cougars 15-6. A service error from the Falcons would allow Heywood to get a service ace 18-8.
The Cougars would attempt to build momentum by putting up a brick wall, bringing the score 20-10. The teams would trade point-for-point with the Falcons. The Cougars would attempt to build momentum for the fourth set but ultimately fell 25-14.
Set Four
The Falcons would take and force the first two points of the set 1-1. However, the Cougars could not respond quickly, letting the Falcons lead 7-3.
The Falcons would continue their onslaught 12-5, but Dicken would respond with the first kill of the set for the Cougars 12-6. Hunt would follow up with a kill of her own 13-7. The teams would swap two-point rallies ushering the score 15-9.
The Cougars would go on a six-point rally where Vernengo and Heywood would add two points each of their own with aces and kills respectively to lead the score 17-15. The Falcons would respond quickly building their lead 21-16, and Heywood would end their rally bringing the Cougars 21-17.
Hunt would try to reduce the margin by adding a kill of her own 22-19, Dicken responded to Hunt's efforts by adding a service ace of her own 22-20. Their efforts would not prevail. Ultimately, the Cougars fell 25-20.
The Cougars are set to take on the Aurora University Spartans at Thornton Gymnasium in Aurora at 7 p.m. Coverage for all of our sports can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
