Falcons offense comes alive during non-conference victory

KENOSHA, Wis. – After dropping the opening set, Concordia Wisconsin's offense rose the occasion to help in winning three-consecutive sets to take a 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19) non-conference victory over St. Mary's on Friday evening inside TARC Fieldhouse.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 3, St. Mary's 1 (23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19)
Location: TARC Fieldhouse (Kensoha, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 5-2, St. Mary's 6-3

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin's offense didn't perform well in the opening set, hitting just .111, but that sub-par performance was short lived as the rhythm between setter and hitters quickly came to life. The Falcons hit. 1.96, .308 and .258 over the final three sets to walk off the court with a non-conference victory.
- St. Mary's held a 24-21 lead late in the opening set and the Falcons scored back-to-back points to make it interesting, but it wasn't enough and fell behind early in the match.
- A 9-2 scoring run the later stages of the second frame gave Concordia Wisconsin all the momentum it needed to knot the scoreboard at a set apiece.
- The Falcons were flying along nicely before the Cardinals compiled six unanswered points to tie the score at 24-all in the third set. A St. Mary's service ace and a Megan Mayer kill gave Concordia Wisconsin a 26-24 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.
- Mayer, along with McKenna Nigl and Olivia Richter helped the offense put an explanation point on an evening off success during a 6-2 run to end the contest.
- Mayer (junior, Downers Grove, Ill.) and senior Amanda Schultz (North Prairie, Wis.) each had 14 kills for the Spartans. Schultz his and outstanding .353 in the match on 34 attempts.
- Seniors Mackenzie Wockenfus (Appleton, Wis.) and Haley Sedo (Neenah, Wis.) combined for 45 assists, while junior Ariana Richmond (South Elgin, Ill.) had 23 digs.

MATCH NOTES
- The Falcons offense was efficient at avoiding any Cardinal blocks, as none were recorded. Meanwhile, Concordia Wisconsin had four solo and eight assisted blocks.
- Saturday's matches mark the second and third this season against teams receiving or ranked in the AVCA Division III Coaches Poll. Chicago is receiving votes and is one spot from being 25th nationally, while Carthage ranks 19th in the country.

THE OPPOSITION
- Bradi Blattner led the Cardinals with 13 kills and Lillian Braun recorded 35 assists and 12 digs.
- DeJaye Baab paced the defensive efforts with 20 digs.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin will compete against Chicago (12 pm) and host Carthage (4 pm) on Saturday.