River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's volleyball team is ready to hit the court for the 2025 season. After a year of growth and laying a strong foundation, the Cougars are looking to build on their past successes.
Entering his third year as head coach Andrew Palmer is looking forward to the season ahead, stating, "We made some big strides last year as a program that didn't always show up in the win column. [We] had a lot of young players contribute, and as a program continued to take steps for how we want to compete day in and day out. That standard is going to carry us forward and expect another jump this year … The goal is to win. We aren't looking for consolation prizes and emotional victories. We are looking to take those next steps as a program with eyes on post season play… I am thrilled about the team this season. There is an energy in the gym and moments that click that get me excited. Our returners have done a real nice job continuing to grow and bringing the new players on board. I like how we are blending and growing together."
Last Season
The Cougars faced a challenging schedule where they finished 11-15 overall and 3-10 in Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) play. The team showed flashes of strong play early on, keeping sets close in their opening tournament at Maryville, Tennessee, despite three losses. Lili Hunt (Greenfield, Ind.)led the charge with 26 kills, while freshman Malainna Adler (Fenton, Mo.) made a statement in her collegiate debut with 85 assists over the three matches.
The team grabbed their first victory in their home opener on September 4, a 3-1 win over Kalamazoo College. Brooke Christensen (Blaine, Minn.) and Neva Foster (Parker, Colo.) were key in the win, each recording double-digit kills. The team followed that up with two more home wins at the Maroon and Gold Tri, sweeping Blackburn College and defeating Fontbonne University 3-1.
At the Marilyn Scribner Invitational, the Cougars continued their strong non-conference play, sweeping Beloit College 3-0 and took a massive win over Lawrence University after five sets of play 3-2.
Following the invitational, NACC play opened against Wisconsin Lutheran College and Rockford University where the Cougars fell to Wisconsin Lutheran 3-0 but swept Rockford 3-0 to grab their first conference win of the season.
For the final tournament of the season, the Cougars hosted the CUC tri where they split on the day, winning their first game against Lawrence 3-0 but falling to Central College 3-0. Taking on Eureka College, the Cougars swept for another non-conference win, 3-0 before heading back into conference play.
Over a ten day span, the Cougars had four conference games against Benedictine University, St. Norbert College, Edgewood College, and Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), where the Cougars could not obtain a win, but did take a set against St. Norbert and MSOE.
The Cougars finished their non-conference season with a much needed win over Lake Forest College 3-1.
In the final seven games of the season, the Cougars took on Dominican University, Concordia University Wisconsin, Aurora University, Alverno College, Marian University, Lakeland University, and Illinois Institute of Technology, where they went 5-2, grabbing back-to-back wins over Alverno 3-0 and Marian 3-1.
Following the season, two Cougars were recognized for their outstanding performance. Adler and Hunt were both named All-Conference Honorable Mention by the NACC. Adler, in her debut season, led the team with 737 assists and ranked second in the NACC with 8.10 assists per set. Hunt, now a senior, was a critical player on offense, ranking 16th in the NACC in kills per set and 20th in points per set.
Key Returners
The Cougars will be led by a talented group of returning players, including their two All-NACC honorees from last season. "The growth and development of our returners has been great to see, " Coach Palmer notes. "From year over year development to the work they put in during the off season. Our returners have helped build a foundation in the program and I look for them to continue to build on it and contribute at a high level."
Adler is set to be the engine of the offense once again. She proved to be a standout in her debut season, leading the team with 737 assists and ranking second in the NACC in assists per set.
Hunt is a critical player on both offense and defense as she returns for her senior year after earning All-NACC Honorable Mention honors. She was second on the team in points (182), kills (160), and blocks (37).
Jessalyne Perkins (Chicago, Ill.) was a force at the net, leading the team in both blocks (54.0) and service aces (36). She ranked among the top players in the NACC in both categories.
Bethany Roethel (Westby, Wis.) returns as the team's defensive anchor, having led the Cougars with 288 digs and ranking seventh in the NACC in digs per set.
Foster returns as a key offensive contributor, recording the third-most kills on the team last season.
Rachel Livesay (Medinah, Ill.) provides depth and a strong presence on the attack, ranking fifth on the team in both points and kills.
Harmonie Cooper (Chicago, Ill.) and McKayla LeVoy (Kankakee, Ill.) both had strong performances at the net last season and will be looked upon to add to the team's offensive and defensive capabilities.
Fresh Faces
With the departure of several key players, including last year's kill leader Brooke Christensen, the Cougars will be relying on their returning players and new additions to fill the gaps. The team has brought in several new players who will look to make an immediate impact and compete for court time.
The team welcomes six freshmen; Indiah Day (Merrillville, Ind.), Isabel Valle (Chino, Calif.), Rylin Rimsnider (Frankfort, Ill.), Rosemary Brenner (Frankenmuth, Mich.), Ava Quevedo (Colorado Springs, Colo.), and Victoria Pet (Chicago, Ill.).
On top of the freshman, the team also has two transfers; junior, Beatriz Goncalves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) and senior, Eva Fitzgerald (Houston, Texas).
Coach Palmer mentioned "[they are a] hungry, driven group of athletes. This group is high character, and extremely hard working. The standard here is to come in and earn your time on the court. Freshman and returners alike. I expect contributions on the court from this group this season."
A Look Ahead
This season begins on August 29, in Ohio, where the Cougars will play in the Great Lakes Crossover, where they'll play two matches each day against Muskingum University, Baldwin Wallace University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, and Heidelberg University.
The Cougars will have their home opener September 6 where they will take on Blackburn College. The team will then travel to Wheaton to participate in the Marilyn Scribner Invitational where they will take on Lawrence University on September 12, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Wheaton College on September 13. The team has two more non-conference games on the docket before entering NACC play where they will take on Eureka College on September 17 and Lake Forest College on September 19.
Conference play opens on September 24 for the Cougars where they will travel to Rockford to take on Rockford University.
The final tournament the Cougars are participating in this season will be the Alma College Invitational in Michigan where they will take on Calvin University, Anderson University, and Alma College.
At the halfway point of the season, all remaining games will be NACC play where in October the team will take on Edgewood University, St. Norbert College, Illinois Institute of Technology, Alverno College, Benedictine University, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Concordia University Wisconsin Marian University, and Aurora.
Before heading into postseason play, the Cougars will have three crucial games left against Milwaukee School of Engineering, Dominican University and Lakeland University.
Contingent upon placement in the tournament, the Cougars will participate in conference tournament play starting November 11.
Statistical Leaders
Offense
Defense
* - Indicates graduated player
Coverage for the season can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
