Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Concordia University Chicago men's volleyball team traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich. to go up against the Knights of Calvin University. After a tense back-and-forth battle, the Cougars took the match at 3-1.
Inside the Box Score:
● Leon Gudzovski (Des Plaines, Ill.) ended the night by scoring 18.5 points, 13 kills, three aces, five blocks, two digs and 25 total attacks.
● Alexander Ford (Skokie, Ill.) left the night with 12.5 points, seven kills, an assist, four aces, three blocks, five digs and 17 total attacks.
● Jackson Stella (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) ended the night with 11 points, 10 kills, two blocks, two digs and led with 30 total attacks.
● Tyler Holubek (New Lenox, Ill.) scored 10.5 points, nine kills, an assist, three blocks, 12 digs and 29 total attacks.
Here's What Happened
Set One
The Knights tasted the first point of the set with a kill. Stella retaliated with two amazing kills of his own. The Cougars took the lead early on, kills from Gudzovski pushing the team up by three points. The Cougars continued to keep their lead, leading by two after kills from Ford. Holubek was able to put down a strong kill; the teams tied up after a powerful attack from a Knight. The Cougars earned the lead back, going on a 5-0 run. The Knights began to fight back, gaining three points. The teams tied once more as the set approached its end. The teams proceeded to fight for set point; the Cougars took the first set with a score of 26-24, moving into set two 1-0.
Set Two
The first point of set two was scored by a Knight, quickly followed up by a kill from Elijah Mosher (Clayton, Ohio). Kills from Marcin Hoffman (Inverness, Ill.) briefly tied the teams up. The Knights took the lead, quick footwork and kills lending them five points. Hoffman earned some points back for the Cougars with a kill and an ace. Attacks from Stella and Gudzovski had put the Cougars within one. The Knights had the advantage with a seven-point lead. The Cougars tried to catch up with attacks from Hoffman and Ford. The Cougars remained in the deficit as the Knights fought for set point. The Knights took the second set with a score of 25-18, the teams going into the third set tied at 1-1.
Set Three
The Cougars found the first point of the set after a service error from the Knights. The teams exchanged points, but a kill from Gudzovski had put the Cougars in the lead. The teams continuously tied up, fighting for the top spot. The Cougars came back into the lead, but the Knights were on their tails. The Knights eventually took the lead, leaving the Cougars behind. A kill from Holubek left the Cougars trailing by two. The teams tied up at 20-20, questioning who will take the set. Stella continued to deliver major kills. Gudzovski had the team closer to the finish line with two aces, setting the Cougars in the sights of set point. The Cougars took the third set with a score of 25-22, pouncing into set four at 2-1.
Set Four
A service error helped the Knights obtain the first point of the set. The Cougars quickly took the lead with a kill and aces from Ford. A kill from Gudzovski kept the Cougars up by three. The Cougars built on their lead, having a five-point advantage over the Knights. A kill from Mosher pushed the lead to six points. The Knights applied some pressure, striking hard and earning two points. The Cougars bit back with kills from Ford and Stella as the Knights sat at a five-point deficit. Mistakes from the Cougars' side had let the Knights catch up - the Cougars ahead by only two. The Cougars ended up leading by four points, eventually taking match point. The Cougars took the fourth and final set with a score of 25-20, beating the Knights at 3-1.
What's Next
The team will make their way to Adrian, Mich. on January 31 to battle against Adrian College. The match will take place at the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center at 7 pm EST. Coverage for all things CUC men's volleyball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
