River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago men's volleyball team shared their season opener with the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan University. After some intense gameplay, the Titans overtook the Cougars with a final score of 3-1.
Inside the Box Score:
- Jackson Stella (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) ended the night's game with 20.5 points, 45 total attacks and led with 20 kills and 11 digs.
- Tyler Holubek (New Lenox, Ill.) came in close with 16 points, 15 kills, 12 digs and led with 48 total attacks.
- Alexander Ford (Skokie, Ill.) left the night's game with 12.5 points, 21 total attacks, 10 kills and five blocks.
- Wyatt Anzenberger-Shea (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) ended the game with 12 points, 13 total attacks and three blocks.
How it Happened
Set One
The Cougars were off to a great start with a kill from Stella. Exchanging some back-and-forth for the first half of the set, with Stella bringing major commotion for the Cougars' offense. Newcomer Anzenberger-Shea showed up with a block and a kill, demonstrating skill early on. The Titans came into a 3-0 lead against the Cougars before a kill from Ford broke it up. The Cougars fell into a 3-point deficit in time for their first timeout. Holubek gained the ball back for the Cougars and fought for the set point. The Titans took hold of the first set with a score of 25-21, going into set two 1-0.
Set Two
Set two saw the Titans score first after a serving error on the Cougars' end. The Titans quickly took the lead before Holubek and Ford worked to tie things up. The Cougars proceeded to go on a 5-0 run, while the Titans began their pushback. A kill from a Titan had put the team within one of the Cougars. The teams tied up once more, but the Cougars surpassed their opponents with a three-point lead. The Titans crept up on the Cougars, but in vain as the Cougars gained a lead again from Holubek and Ford. The teams fought for the set, and after some debate, the Titans took set two with a score of 29-27, going into set three leading 2-0.
Set Three
The Cougars took the first point of set three with a kill from Anzenberger-Shea. The teams began the set by exchanging points, but the Cougars made quick work in taking the lead, going on a 3-0 run. The Cougars managed a five-point lead, the dynamic duo of Stella and Ford keeping the Titans down. The Titans came within four, Holubek keeping them at a distance with his kills. The teams tied up after a kill from a Titan. The team battled for points to wrap up the set, kills from Stella and Tristan Caminar (Bolingbrook, Ill.) attempting to finish things off, but the Titans kept fighting. The teams proceeded to nearly double the normal ending scores at 42-41. The Cougars miraculously took the third set with a score of 44-42, going into set four with renewed vigor at 1-2.
Set Four
The Cougars began the scoring for the set with a serve from Elijah Mosher (Clayton, Ohio) that could not be received. The Titans obtained a 5-0 lead. Kills from Anzerberger-Shea broke up the streak. This did not last long as the Titans went back to having a 6-point lead. Stellas earned the ball back with a kill, but the Titans remained on top. The Cougars trailed by eight unanswered for points. The Cougars had put up a major fight, but the Titans dominated the fourth set and took it with a final score of 25-17, ending the night at 3-1.
What's Next
The team will have a week before traveling to Naperville, Ill. on January 22nd to face off against North Central College. The game will take place at the Gregory Arena at 7 pm. Coverage for all things CUC men's volleyball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
