No. 4 Carthage Tops Concordia

KENOSHA, Wis. – The Falcons once again faced one of the top teams in NCAA Division III on Thursday. The Blue and White challenged the fourth-ranked Firebirds of Carthage but fell short, 25-20, 25-23, 25-12. The loss sends CUW to 4-6 on the year

A kill from freshman Ben Kayser (Milwaukee, Wis.) gave the Falcons an early lead at 7-6 in the first set.

The Falcons held tight with the Firebirds in the first set and cut the Carthage lead to 14-11 before the Firebirds took the next five points. CUW cut the Carthage lead to four points at 21-17 and 23-19, but Carthage took the first set, 25-20.

The Blue and White posted an early 8-6 lead in the second set with a kill from Ben Kayser.

The Firebirds built the biggest lead of the set at 14-11, but the Falcons retook the lead again at 18-17 with a block from Ben Kayser.

Both teams fought back and forth in the set, with neither team backing down. A kill from freshman  Tate Miller (Anthem, Ariz.) tied the set at 23, but the Firebirds, won the next two points to take the set at 25-23.

The Red and White took an early lead in the third set and never looked back. The Firebirds cruised to a 25-12 third-set victory to secure the win.

Junior Spencer Herman (Kimberly, Wis.) finished with a match-high 13 kills.

Ben Kayser collected 10 kills on Thursday.

Sophomore Logan Kebisek (Brookfield, Wis.) secured 26 assists against the Firebirds.

Senior Andy Ellingham (Burlington, Wis.) had four blocks for the Blue and White.

The Falcons will continue their road trip on Saturday at North Park.