Court Side Notes: NAC Tournament hopes still alive

CUW PLAYS TWO MATCHES AT HOME, BATTLES NAC LEADER EDGEWOOD

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SERVICE ACE NOTES

• The Falcons sit in 10th place in the NAC standings with a 2-6 league record. The conference tournament takes the top eight seeds, with Lakeland College and Aurora University tied for the final spot at 4-5 in conference play.
• CUW's front line defense has improved during the last four matches, recording at least six total blocks. The Falcons rejected a season-high-tying 12 attack attempts against Wisconsin Lutheran College on Sept. 29.
• Everything was clicking on Oct. 5 when the Falcons smashed a season-best 48 kills in a 3-1 victory at Alverno College. They hit .184 and were led by senior Amanda Stahmann's (Van Dyne, Wis.) 11 kills on 23 attempts.

LAST FIVE MATCHES AT A GLANCE: FALCONS EARN PAIR OF VICTORIES IN LEAGUE PLAY

• A trio of players have recorded at least 29 kills, with sophomore Britta Duchow (Potter, Wis.) leading the way with 34. Stahmann and sophomore Hannah Griffiths (Antigo, Wis.) have recorded 32 and 29 kills, respectively.
• Sophomore Carley Valentine (De Pere, Wis.) has directed the offense to 105 assists during the last five matches, including 29 in a 3-0 victory at Rockford College on Sept. 28.
• Defensively, Griffiths and sophomore Erin Howard (Labadie, Mo.) have led the way with 67 and 57 digs, respectively. On the season, Howard leads the team with 252 and has dug 15 or more attack attempts in eight matches this season.
• Stahmann and Duchow have been a force up front for the Falcons, rejecting 32 total blocks during the last five matches. The duo have combined for 117 total blocks this season.

LAST FIVE MATCHES AT A GLANCE: EDGEWOOD WITH ONCE BLEMISH AGAINST THEM

• Three of the last five matches the Eagles have won in sweeping fashion. They defeated Aurora University, Lakeland College and Beloit College, 3-0, holding each to under 20 points in two of the three sets played.
• Mallory Palmer leads the Eagles with 65 kills during the last five matches. Her teammate, Katie Wedvick, has smashed 41 kills during that span.
• Lindsey Swansby directs the Eagles offense with ease. She has accumulated 185 assists during the last five matches, including 50 in a tough 3-2 victory over Benedictine University.

LOOKING AHEAD: WINS ARE A MUST FOR CUW

• The Falcons host Concordia University Chicago on Friday at 7 p.m. for the team's final home match of the season. It is also Senior Night, as the team recognizes the playing careers of Christi Rever (Decatur, Ill.) and Stahmann.
• CUW will travel to Aurora University (Oct. 20, 4 p.m.) and MSOE (Oct. 24, 7 p.m.) with aspirations to claim the final seed for the NAC Tournament.