Volleyball shows poise, holds off Wisconsin Lutheran for victory

MEQUON, Wis. – It may have been the most tightly contested match to date this season for Concordia Wisconsin, but a poised and balanced effort helped during a 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-20) home victory over Wisconsin Lutheran.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, Wisconsin Lutheran 0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-20)
Location: R. John Buuck Field House (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 7-2, 2-0 NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran 4-4, 0-2 NACC

QUOTING DS LINDSEY CASPER

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The victory didn't come as easy as some had earlier in the season, with 30 scoring ties and 12 lead changes in the three-set sweep for Concordia Wisconsin.
- Following a 22-22 tie in the opening set, the Falcons scored three of the final four points to gain some momentum early on. Junior Terese Zymanek (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and sophomore Amanda Schultz (North Prairie, Wis.) each had a kills before sophomore Ashley Jehlicka (Salem, Wis.) dialed up a service ace. All in all, there were 15 scoring ties and five lead changes in the opening frame.
- Concordia Wisconsin put together scoring runs of five- and six-consecutive points to extend far enough ahead of Wisconsin Lutheran in the second set. The Falcons went ahead 2-0 in set following the 25-17 win.
- Wisconsin Lutheran would go away quietly, leading 20-19 late in the third set, which forced Concordia Wisconsin to call timeout. After the instruction by the Falcons' coaches, they put together a 6-0 scoring run to close the door on the NACC sweeping win.
- Freshman Megan Mayer (Downers Grove, Ill.) had an outstanding match with a season-high 11 kills, to go along with two service aces, five digs and two block assists.
- Junior Lauren Nevinski (New Berlin, Wis.) added eight kills and four block assists.
- Senior Karina Klotz (Hubertus, Wis.) had 16 assists and eight digs, while sophomore Ashley Jehlicka posted 18 assists and five digs.
- Junior Megan Jehlicka (Salem, Wis.) recorded five kills and four blocks assists, while Schultz tallied five kills and a career-high six block assists.
- Concordia Wisconsin hit .193 (41K-18E-119A) and 10.0 total team blocks.
- The Falcons limited the Warriors to a .076 attack percentage (20K-20E-119A).

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The victory equals the best start (6-2) under head coach Janelle Gabrielsen-Katz's tenure. They previously started 6-2 during the 2-14 season.
- Concordia Wisconsin's .193 attack percentage was the third highest in a match this season, along with their 41 kills.

THE OPPOSITION
- Britley Grulke led all players with 12 kills, while Courtney Pattison had 12 assists and six digs.
- Andrea Hafemeister added seven kills and Megan Wierzbicki led the defensive efforts with 20 digs.
- A trio fo Warriors ended the match with three block assists.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons return to action on Saturday at the Carthage Invitational, which they will compete against Carroll (10 am) and Carthage (12 pm) in Kenosha, Wis.