Falcons split matches at NACC-IIAC Crossover Challenge

WAVERLY, Iowa – Concordia Wisconsin struggled in its opening match against Coe, but responded for a sweeping victory against Buena Vista at the NACC-IIAC Crossover Challenge at Levick Arena. The Falcons lost to the Kohawks 3-0 (22-25, 16-25, 19-25) and defeated the Beavers 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-20).

THE BASICS
Final Score: Coe 3, Concordia Wisconsin 0 (22-25, 16-25, 19-25); Concordia Wisconsin 3, Buena Vista 0 (25-21, 25-18, 25-20)
Location: Levick Arena (Waverly, Iowa)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 10-4, Buena Vista 9-7, Coe 7-6

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin began the day with a difficult sweep against Coe, who hit an impressive .213 (33K-14E-89A). The Falcons failed to hit above .094 in a set and concluded the opening frame at -.031 to put themselves behind early.
- The Kohawks built a comfortable 19-10 lead in the opening set before the Falcons charged back at tied the scoreboard at 21-21. Coe, however, scored four of the final five points to win.
- Another big advantage, 21-10, midway through the second stanza gave the Kohawks enough of a cushion to go ahead 2-0 in the non-conference match.
- Coe was all over Concordia Wisconsin in the deciding third set, as they built a 20-7 difference en route to a 25-19 win and match sweep.
- Junior Terese Zymanek (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) had a team-high nine kills, while senior Karina Klotz (Hubertus, Wis.) posted 12 assists and seven digs.
- Ashley Jehlicka (Salem, Wis.) had seven assists and program record seven service aces.
- Concordia Wisconsin settled in against Buena Vista and flexed its muscles. They led by as few as four points in the match and by as many as eight in the third frame.
- The Beavers struggled offensively, posting a .028 attack percentage (26K-23E-109A) and serving eight errors.
- The Falcons pulled away from a 16-14 deficit in the opening match with an 11-5 scoring run to win the set 25-21.
- Concordia Wisconsin shined down the stretch in the second set, by putting together scoring runs of 5-1, 4-0 and 3-1 to take momentum and a 2-0 advantage in the non-league contest.
- Over the final half of the third frame it was all Falcons, as they outscored the Beavers 14-8, which included a run of six-unanswered points.
- Junior Kaily Moegenburg (Plymouth, Wis.) had a match-high 12 kills, while Zymanek smashed nine kills of her own. Freshman Holly Anderson (Grant Park, Ill.) had a career match with nine kills, six digs and two block assists.
- Klotz dialed in 22 assists and Casper recorded 17 digs in the victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons bus broke down on the way to Waverly, Iowa, which forced them to be late and rush their pre-match routine when preparing for today's matches.
- Freshman Kendall Stribling (Greenfield, Wis.) had a season-high four blocks, including two solo against Buena Vista.
- Klotz's 22 assists against Buena Vista is tied for the eighth most in a three-set match.

THE OPPOSITION
- Coe was led by Jaimee Rindy who had eight kills, while Lindsey Koch and Olivia Lesinger smashed seven kills apiece, respectively. Hanna Reese added 30 assists and Madi Miller dug 16 attack attempts. Defensively, Rindy added a block solo and six block assists.
- Buena Vista was led by Maddie Bardole and Jamie Navinskey with six kills apiece. Kylie Roe and Ashley Pelton combined for 21 assists, while Sydnee Donnelli had a team-high 17 digs.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons conclude the NACC-IIAC Crossover Challenge with matches against host Wartburg and Loras on Saturday.