Volleyball hosts Aurora in NACC Tournament Championship

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin and Aurora will compete in the NACC Tournament Championship match on Saturday at 7 pm with the winner receiving the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

THE BASICS
Who: No. 1 Concordia Wisconsin (22-7) vs. No. 2 Aurora (27-8)
Where: R. John Buuck Field House (Mequon, Wis.)
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016 (7 pm)
Live Coverage: CUWFalcons.com will prove live video and live statistics

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
WE MEET AGAIN: The last time these two teams squared off was September 30 in Aurora, Ill., and the Falcons flew back home Falcons with a 3-0 victory. Kaily Moegenburg (CUW) and Peyton McKenzie (Aurora) each had 12 kills for their respective teams.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE: The Falcons have played in the NACC Tournament Championship match twice before, but it was last in 2008 and 2006. Concordia Wisconsin was the third seed both times before and lost 3-1 to top-seed Lakeland (2008) and 3-2 to second-seeded Benedictine (2006).

INEXPERIENCED SPARTANS: While the hosts of Saturday night's contest has some experience, although a long time ago, Aurora has never appeared in the NACC Tournament Championship match. They have to the semifinal match just twice in league history (2014 and 2006).

FALCONS DEFENSE WILL BE CHALLENGED: Aurora enters as the top-ranked offense team in the NACC, leading all teams with a .235 attack percentage, 1,571 kills (13.43 per set) and 1,467 assists (12.54 per set). NACC Player of the Year Katie Vondra is the conference's leader with 452 kills and ranks third with a .262 attack percentage.

YOUTH PUT TO THE TEST: Of the 10 primary players that Concordia Wisconsin has in the rotation, five of those are underclassmen and three are rookies. If the Falcons want to win they need to have everyone focused and on the same page.

ONE WOMAN BAND: While the Falcons run a 6-2 offensive system, the Spartans rely on Emily Lines to handle all the setting responsibilities and as a result she leads the NACC with 1,242 assists. In 12 matches this year she tallied 40 or more assists and recently had 60 on October 15 in a 3-1 victory over Maranatha Baptist.