RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) men's volleyball team battled the Falcons of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) at Geiseman Gymnasium this evening. Despite going up two sets, the Cougars couldn't close it out and fell 3-2. CUC is now 5-10, 1-3 Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC).
Inside the Box Score
- Tyler Holubek (New Lenox, Ill.) had a strong performance all around tonight, leading the team with 21 kills, and also contributing two blocks, two assists, and 13 digs.
- Elijah Mosher (Clayton, Ohio) recorded a team-high 49 assists.
- Alexander Ford (Skokie, Ill.) made four blocks.
- Defensively, Van Gaetto (Darrien, Ill.) recorded 18 digs.
Set One
Leon Gudzovski (Des Plaines, Ill.) got the Cougars on the board first, with a rocket down the middle.
The teams traded points early, but the Cougars were able to get out to an early 7-4 lead with back-to-back kills from Mosher and one from Holubek. The duo continued to build on CUC's lead along with
Jackson Stella (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) to make it 12-6.
The path to winning the set was not smooth sailing, as the Falcons rallied and were able to tie the set at 20. Holubek broke the stalemate and a block from Ford put the Cougars up two, but CUW tied the set up again. A Falcons' serving error gave the Cougars the go-ahead and another Falcon error and a kill by Ford led CUC to win set one, 25-23.
Set Two
In set two, the Falcons jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Holubek smashed a kill down and Stella recorded a service ace. The Cougars rallied and a block by
Marcin Hoffman (Inverness, Ill.) and Ford tied the set up at 6-6.
This sparked CUC to go on a 5-1 run, which included kills from Mosher and Holubek, a service ace from Hoffman, and a block by Stella and Ford. As the Falcons looked to close the gap, the Cougars maintained their lead, 16-12, thanks to kills from Stella, Mosher, Gudzovski, and Holubek.
CUW would make it tough on CUC, tying the game up at 17. Two kills from Holubek and one from Hoffman gave the Cougars a small lead back, but the Falcons would find a way to reclaim the lead, 24-23. A Falcon's serving error kept the Cougars alive as the teams battled to 26-26. Yet two Falcons errors at the end of the set gave the Cougars the 28-26 victory, now leading the match 2-0.
Set Three
In set three, the teams battled back and forth, keeping the match within two points. Kills from Hoffman, Ford, Gudzovski, and Stella kept the match at 11-11.
The Falcons and Cougars continued trading points, and back-to-back kills from Holubek and Gudzovski gave CUC a slight 16-15 lead.
Unfortunately, the Falcons recorded a few blocks while the Cougars struggled from the service line, ending set three 25-21, in favor of CUW. CUC still led the match, 2-1.
Set Four
Holubek got set four started, followed by kills from Stella and Ford to go up 5-4.
The Cougars were able to maintain the lead, as Stella had a kill and a block to put the Cougars up 11-7.
The Falcons would close the gap to one point, but CUC denied CUW to get closer, building their lead back up to 17-11.
CUW continued to chip away at the CUC's lead, claiming it at 23-22. The Cougars tied up the set for the next three points, with kills from Gudzovski, Hoffman, and Holubek, but the Falcons found a way to win 27-25 and force the fifth set.
Set Five
The Falcons found their stride and went out to an early 4-0 lead, forcing a Cougar timeout. Out of the timeout, Holubek registered a kill for CUC, but the Falcon held a steady, 7-1 lead. CUW limited the Cougars' chances and took the set 15-8 and the match 3-2.
Up Next
The Cougars' next matches will be Sunday March 2. CUC will travel to Stevens Point, Wis. for the UWSP Tri, where they will face Viterbo University and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. First serve is at 2:00 pm. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
