Spartans Silence Falcons in NACC Quarterfinals

AURORA, Ill. – Tuesday was the end of the line for the Falcons in 2022. The journey ended with a 3-1 loss in the NACC Tournament Quarterfinals at Aurora. The Spartans defended the home court with a 21-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-16 victory. The Falcons finish the season with a program record of wins in a single season at 12-11.

The Falcons jumped on Aurora in the first set and never looked back on Tuesday. CUW pushed the lead up to 17-12 with a service ace from senior James Althoff (Kenosha, Wis.). The birds pushed the lead up to six points on two occasions and won the set at 25-21 with a kill from Althoff. Sophomore Spencer Herman (Appleton, Wis.) showed why he is the reigning NACC Offensive Player of the Week with six kills in the set. Althoff had three aces in the set.

The Spartans responded with vengeance in the second set and jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The Falcons chopped the deficit to 9-8, but the Black and Blue walked away and leveled the match with a 25-15 victory.

Both teams fought tooth and nail to start the crucial third set and did not allow either team to create much breathing room. With the set tied at 14, The Spartans broke free with a 7-1 run and took the set 25-19. Herman secured six kills in the set.

The Falcons found themselves in a large hole early in the fourth set, trailing, 7-1. The birds battled throughout the set but were unable to overtake the Spartans. The Black and Blue clipped CUW 25-20 to advance in the tournament.  

Spencer Herman led the match with 20 kills on Tuesday night.

Freshman Logan Kebisek (Brookfield, Wis.) dished out match-high 42 assists against the Spartans.

James Althoff finished the night with nine kills, four service aces four digs and three blocks.

Fresh off of being named to the Frog Jump Team of the Week, senior Ryan Hoefs (Greendale, Wis.) led CUW with 10 digs, one head of senior Turner Fuhrer (Kenosha, Wis.) with nine.

The Spartans advance to take on Benedictine in the NACC Tournament Semifinals on Thursday.