RIVER FOREST, ILL.- The Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Cougars men's volleyball team battled at home against the Muskies of Lakeland University. After going to the fifth set, the Cougars came away with the win, 3-2.
BOX SCORE
- Tate Johnson (Plainfield, Ill.) led both teams with 16 kills, 49 total attacks that resulted in 18 total points.
- Tyrise Armstrong (Grayslake, Ill.) finished with 13 kills, 14 digs, 34 total attacks that added up to 16 points and three blocks.
- Tristan Caminar (Bolingbrook, Ill.) had 34 total attacks for the Cougar offense.
- Elijah Mosher (Clayton, Ohio) ended leading both boards with 22 digs and 43 assists.
- Michael Cardines (Chicago, Ill.) contributed with nine assists and 21 digs.
- Alexander Ford (Skokie, Ill.) hit top of the board with five blocks and 14 points.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
SET ONE
The Cougars opened the game early with a kill by Leon Gudzovski (Des Planies, Ill.) The Muskies responded with a quick two-point run, taking a 2-1 lead. The Cougars answered back, tying the score 3-3 after a kill by Armstrong. That play sparked momentum, as they went on a 3-0 run to take a 6-3 lead. Both teams traded points through the middle of the set until the Cougars capitalized with another three consecutive points. After a single point from the Muskies, the Cougars went on a dominant 5-0 run, increasing their lead to 17-8. The Muskies attempted to close the gap but Cougars bit back each time and responded with points of their own. The Cougars eventually reached set point and secured the win with a kill by Gudzovski, taking the set 25-18.
SET TWO
The Muskies opened the set with an early 2-0 run. The Cougars got on the board after a Muskies attack error, cutting the score 2-1. The set remained competitive, with both teams going point to point. The Muskies pulled ahead by creating a lead by six, 14-8. Despite trailing, the Cougars closed the gap with one lone point behind with a score of 20-19. The Muskies responded by scoring three consecutive points to maintain the lead. With the Cougars adding two late points, the Muskies held on and secured the set with a kill, winning 25-23.
SET THREE
Both teams started the set with a point, tying the game 1-1. The score remained 5-5, until the Cougars took control with five determined points to build a 10-5 lead. The Muskies attempted to answer back, picking up points off and on, but the Cougars extended momentum following a Muskies attack error. That ignited a 6-0 run, pushing the score to 20-11. After a Muskies point, the Cougars picked up three consecutive points to stay on top. With the lead out of reach, Johnson clinched the set with a kill, as the Cougars closed it out 25-14.
SET FOUR
The set began with both teams tied before the Muskies built an early 4-2 lead. Carrying intensity from the previous set, they went on a 4-0 run, stretching the lead to exchange their advantage 10-5. The Cougars responded with two points, but the Muskies pulled away again with another 4-0 run, widening the gap. Despite a kill by Caminar to trigger a comeback attempt, the Muskies kept the advantage and led 22-17 late in the set. The Cougars added two late points, but a service error ended the set in favor of the Muskies, who shut the game out 25-20 to force a fifth set.
SET FIVE
In the fifth set, the Cougars struck first with an early point. With the Muskies trailing by one, the Cougars put together a 2-0 run to take a 6-3 lead. Both teams battled point for point, but the Cougars determined to win. Armstrong delivered a kill, and on match point, Armstrong and Ford connected for a block assist. The match ended in the Cougars favor following an Muskies attack error, as they closed out the fifth set 15-9.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Cougars will stay at home to go up against Aurora University on Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00 PM. Coverage for all things CUC men's volleyball can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
