Falcons earn pair of easy victories at Pizza Hut Classic

OSHKOSH, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin took care of business on Saturday afternoon with a pair of 3-0 sweeping victories over Maranatha Baptist University and St. Norbert College at the Pizza Hut Classic.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, Maranatha Baptist 0; Concordia Wisconsin 3, St. Norbert 0
Location: Kolf Sports Center (Oshkosh, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin (4-3), Maranatha Baptist (4-3), St. Norbert (3-5)
Tournament: Pizza Hut Classic

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons earned their second and third 3-0 victories of the season and first back-to-back of the year. They ended the Pizza Hut Classic with a 3-1 record, which was tied for the second best among the 11 teams that competed.
- CUW began the day with a 25-21, 27-25, 25-11 win over Maranatha Baptist, who was formerly a member of the NACC three seasons ago.
- The Falcons ended with a .316 attack percentage (46K-16E-95A) against the Crusaders and were led by freshman Mackenzie Paszek (Sussex, Wis.) who had 13 kills. Sophomores Kaily Moegenburg (Plymouth, Wis.) Terese Zymanek (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) added eight kills apiece.
- The front line defense recorded 9.5 total team blocks against Maranatha Baptist, with six players recording at least one block assist.
- CUW battled St. Norbert in the first two sets (27-25, 25-21) before shutting them down with a dominating 25-6 third set win for the match victory.
- Nine different Falcons helped the team to victory with at least one kill against the Green Knights.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Sophomore Lauren Nevinski and Moegenburg each earned All-Pizza Hut Classic honors for their efforts. Nevinski had 14 kills and 10 total blocks. Moegenburg posted 14 kills, five service aces and 13 digs.
- CUW hit an impressive .315 (85K-27E-184A) as a team in the two victories. They smashed 46 kills against Maranatha Baptist and 39 kills against St. Norbert.
- The Falcons six points allowed to St. Norbert was the first time an opponent didn't reach double-digits since Oct. 31 of last season, a span of 11 matches. They allowed just 17 points in the third set for the day.
- Paszek hit in double-figures in three of the four matches at the tournament.
- For the tournament five Falcons recorded double-figures kills, while sophomore Karina Klotz (Hubertus, Wis.) and freshman Haley Sedo (Neenah, Wis.) combined for 160 of the teams 174 assists.
- Nevinski dominated the front line with 17 total blocks for the tournament and 10 total blocks on Saturday. She had at least three block assists in three of the four matches.
- The Falcons had a balanced defense throughout the tournament, but Moegenburg led the team with 51 digs. Freshman Lindsay Casper (Hubertus, Wis.) dug 39 attack attempts and senior Kelsa Rubeck (Eau Claire, Wis.) recorded 38 digs.

THE OPPOSITION
- Julia Gunst led Maranatha Baptist with 17 assists, but no Sabercat was able to reach double-digit kills. Rachael Glaze and Stacy Reinke had six kills each.
- St. Norbert was the second-straight opponent held without a player in double-figure kills. Halie Ferry reach seven kills. Kaitlin Delahaut assisted on 14 kills and served three aces.

UP NEXT
- The Falcons continue their nine-match road trip to start the season with match eight at MSOE on Tuesday night. The match is also the start of Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play at 7 pm.