Volleyball gains dominant NACC win with sweep of Alverno

MILWAUKEE – The Concordia University Wisconsin Volleyball team had little trouble in gaining a 3-0 win over Alverno College Friday night. The Falcons were dominant from the start, picking up another Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory.

CUW won the three sets by scores of 25-10, 25-12 and 25-14 and in the process moved to 8-1 in NACC play. Of the Falcons eight conference wins, six have been via a 3-0 sweep. CUW also likely clinched a spot in the six-team NACC Tournament with the win, although the rest of Friday's results that would determine that were still in progress.

Senior Britta Duchow (Potter, Wis.) reached a career milestone in the win as she surpassed 300 career blocks. Duchow led the team with four block assists, making things difficult for the Inferno for much of the match.

CUW finished the match with a .371 attack percentage compared to .000 for the Inferno. The Falcons posted a .536 percentage in the second set, with 18 kills on 28 assists. Freshmen Ashley Jehlicka (Salem, Wis.) and Kaily Moegenburg (Plymouth, Wis.) paced CUW with nine kills apiece. Moegenburg hit .500 for evening.

Another freshman, Lauren Nevinski (New Berlin, Wis.) was nearly perfect on Friday, finishing with seven kills on eight attacks (.875). The CUW hitters were able to get into a rhythm thanks to the play of setters Jehlicka, sophomore Karina Klotz (Hubertus, Wis.) and senior Carley Valentine (De Pere, Wis.). Jehlicka led the way with 11 assists, while Klotz and Valentine chipped in with eight and six assists.

Senior Erin Howard (Labadie, Mo.) tallied 11 digs for CUW, while Jehlicka finished with nine, as she was one assist and one kill shy of yet another triple-double.

All-in-all it was a balanced attack that once again helped CUW pick up a conference win. Nine players recorded a kill, all of those players finishing with two or more. Also, 11 players assisted on a kill, while 10 players tallied a dig. The Falcons also had some success with the serve as Howard posted three aces.

Alverno (9-15, 0-8 NACC) was led by Jessica Wewers who had five kills. Danielle Schilawksi added 11 digs.

The Falcons will next play Wednesday night in their regular season home finale against Marian University. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.