River Forest, Ill. - The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) women's volleyball team were back in action on their home court, welcoming the Scarlet Hawks of Illinois Tech. The Cougars struggled to find rhythm during the start, but eventually showed promise. This was in vain as the Scarlet Hawks overtook them 3-1.
Inside the Box Score:
- Neva Foster (Parker, Colo.) and Debanhi Moreno (Dallas, Texas) lead the Cougars, each with five kills. Foster contributed 31 total attacks, five digs, and two blocks while Moreno aided with 25 total attacks and nine digs.
- Jessalyne Perkins (Chicago, Ill.) ended the night with four kills and 14 total attacks, along with three digs and five blocks.
- Harmonie Cooper (Chicago, Ill.) concluded her night with three kills and 10 total attacks, followed by a dig and four blocks.
Here's What Happened
Set One
The set opened up with a kill from a Scarlet Hawk, Beatriz Goncalves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) retaliating with a kill of her own. The teams had strong starts, exchanging points; the Scarlet Hawks took on the lead, going on a three-point run. The Scarlet Hawks gained a three-point lead, but a failed attack brought the Cougars within two. The Cougars fell into an eight-point deficit, struggling to find any rhythm on the court. A kill from Indiah Day (Merrillville, Ind.) finally brought the ball back over to the Cougars. The Scarlet Hawks went on another run, getting to set point first. A final kill would close out the set, the Scarlet Hawks taking it 25-13. They moved into the second set 1-0.
Set Two
Kills started the set from the Scarlet Hawks. Blocks from Foster and Perkins earned the ball back. The Scarlet Hawks easily grabbed the lead, kills and aces assisting them. The Scarlet Hawks surpassed 10 with vigorous attacks; a fierce kill from Brynn Icenogle (Brentwood, Calif.) gave the Cougars the ball. The Cougars remained down by eight. The Cougars continued to fight, staying at an eight-point gap with a kill from Perkins and a block from Cooper. The Cougars fell into a double-digit disadvantage, the Scarlet Hawks coming within set point. Kills ended the set, the Scarlet Hawks taking the second set 25-13 once more, the team transitioning into the third set, 2-0.
Set Three
The set started out with kills from Icenogle and Perkins. The Cougars took on the lead, going on a four-point run. The Cougars continued to push forward, kills from Foster and an ace from Moreno helping. An attack from Cooper brought the Cougars up by five. Moves from the Scarlet Hawks brought the team within two. The teams fought for the top spot, the Scarlet Hawks within one; the teams eventually tied 19-19. The Scarlet Hawks went into the lead by three. Aces from Bethany Roethel (Westby, Wis.) brought the Cougars back up. The Scarlet Hawks made it to match point; errors from the Scarlet Hawks and a kill from Moreno tied the teams 24-24. The teams continued to fight, pushing through the match point. Errors from the Scarlet Hawks gave the Cougars the third set 29-27. The teams shifted into the fourth set, the Scarlet Hawks remaining in the lead, 2-1.
Set Four
The Scarlet Hawks earned the first point of the set with a kill. They took the lead, aces and kills paving their way up. A kill from Cooper brought the Cougars within three. The Scarlet Hawks pushed their lead to six, determined to take back the game. The Cougars, once again, within six, kills from their opponents putting them under. Kills from Moreno and Perkins brought the Cougars within four, clawing their way through the point gap. An attack and an ace from the Scarlet Hawks would officially put the Cougars under, their opponents taking the fourth and final set 25-19. The Scarlet Hawks walked away as winners, 3-1.
What's Next
The team will be back on their home court on Saturday, October 10th, hosting the Maroon and Gold Tri. First serve is set for 11 am against Luther College, followed by Saint Mary's College at 3 pm. Coverage for all things CUC women's volleyball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
