Volleyball splits matches at CIT

RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Concordia University Wisconsin wasn't able to defend its title and win the Concordia Invitational Tournament for a third-straight year on Saturday, splitting matches against Concordia University Ann Arbor and Concordia University Chicago.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 2, Concordia Ann Arbor 3; Concordia Wisconsin 3, Concordia Chicago 0
Location: Geiseman Gymnasium (River Forest, Ill.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin (1-2), Concordia Chicago (1-3), Concordia Ann Arbor (10-3) Tournament: Concordia Invitational Tournament

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons began the day with what could be the most exciting match of the season, despite it being just their second of the year. There were 31 scoring ties and 11 lead changes in the thrilling five-setter against eventual CIT champion Concordia Ann Arbor.
- CUW rallied from a 20-19 deficit in the opening set against the Cardinals to win 26-24. The Falcons would take that moment into a 25-19 second set victory to put themselves in prime position for a sweep.
- However, CUAA used its early season experience (played 12 matches entering the day compared to one by CUW) to win the third and fourth sets by identical 25-22 scores.
- The fifth and deciding set featured five scoring ties and a pair of lead changes, but it was the Cardinals four-consecutive points to overcome a 13-11 deficit that proved to be the deciding factor. Autumn VanKirk smashed three of the final four points.
- CUW had an easier time against its NACC foe with a 3-0 sweep against Concordia Chicago. The match got closer and closer as it progressed before finishing with a ridiculous 34-32 third set win by the Falcons. The third set had 17 scoring ties and six lead changes.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons 34 points scored in the third set against CUC were the most points scored since they had 30 in the second set against Wisconsin Lutheran on September 29, 2012. CUW has scored at least 30 points in a set eight times dating back to the 2008 season when the current scoring format was enforced. The 34 points are also the most by CUW in the current scoring format.
- CUW has now defeated Concordia Chicago seven-straight times dating back to October 29, 2012. The last time the Cougars defeated the Falcons was the season opener of the 2012 season (August 31) by a 3-0 sweep.
- The Falcons hit .126 for the two matches and held opponents to an impressive .091 hitting percentage. They had 97 kills on 285 attempts with 61 errors.
- CUW served 12 aces, including nine in the five-set marathon against Concordia Ann Arbor.
- Sophomore Kailey Moegenburg (Plymouth, Wis.) hit .303 for the two matches (29K-9E-66A), while sophomore Lauren Nevinski (New Berlin, Wis.) finished with a .240 hitting percentage (12K-6E-25A).
- Junior Karina Klotz (Hubertus, Wis.) and freshman Haley Sedo (Neenah, Wis.) had 49 and 36 assists, respectively. Klotz had 20-plus assists in each match.
- Freshman Amanda Schultz (North Prairie, Wis.) led the Falcons with nine block assists, while Nevinski had seven block assists.
- Freshman Lindsey Casper (Hubertus, Wis.) dug 48 attack attempts in the two matches and had 29 against Concordia Ann Arbor.
- Moegenburg led the Falcons with five assists, four of which came against Concordia Ann Arbor to set a new career high.

THE OPPOSITION
- Four different Concordia Ann Arbor players had double-digit kills, with VanKirk ending with 16 kills.
- Claire Truskowski assisted on 39 of the Cardinals 53 kills.
- Julia Szuba recorded 21 digs and VanKirk block two solo attack attempts and assisted on four others.
- Austin Thompson led Concordia Chicago with 10 kills, while Nicoletta Crowley posted 24 assists.
- Jenna Helsing and Emily Marcus recorded 14 and 13 digs, respectively.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons continue their nine-match road trip to start the season on Friday and Saturday (September 11-12) at the UW-Oshkosh Pizza Hut Classic. They will compete against UW-River Falls, UW-Oshkosh, Maranatha Baptist and St. Norbert.