True North Champions

MEQUON, Wis. – For the fourth time in the last five seasons, the Falcons have claimed a regular-season title. The Falcons finished the regular season with 3-0 and 3-1 victories to claim the NACC North Division title with a record of 9-1 in the NACC.

The Falcons hit a blistering .381 in the first set against the Sabres in a 25-16 victory in where all three seniors of Ayana Ramberg (Hillsboro, Ore.), Emma Schlie (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Christina Stinson (Aurora, Ill.) all earned the start on senior day.

The Sabres were able to claim the lead twice in the set and led 17-15, before the Falcons broke down the doors in the set with a 10-3 run to close out the Sabres. Junior Madelyn Alton (Farwell, Minn.) proved why she is the reigning NACC North Student-Athlete of the Week and sank the Sabres with a service ace at 25-20.

The Black and Blue were sitting pretty in the third set, up 16-11, but the Falcons flexed their muscles and cut the deficit to 18-20 with a kill from junior Sophia Collins (Lake Mills, Wis.). The Sabres edged closer to victory at 22-18, but the wheels went flying off for Marian and CUW ended the match on a 6-0 run on the serve of Sophia Collins.

Sophia Collins finished with a match-high 10 kills in the victory.

Sophomore Gabriella Kaebisch (Paddock Lake, Wis.) and junior McKenna Nigl (Richland Center, Wis.) scorched the Sabres with .545 and 375 respectively. Nigl also netted five total blocks and Kaebisch followed behind with four.

Sophomore Sierra Lee (Kenosha, Wis.) dished out 17 assists in the victory and freshman Maycee Karpfinger (Wauwatosa, Wis.) led CUW with 11 digs.

CUW cruised in the first set to a 25-17 victory in the second match. The serve of junior Annie Marie Olszowska (Bolingbrook, Ill.) gave the Sabres issues on Sunday and pushed the lead up to 19-10.

The Sabres lone point of the day came in the second set with a 26-24 victory.

The Falcons responded with a wire-to-wire victory in the third set with a 25-17 victory.

The Falcons put the bow on senior day with a 25-15 victory in the fourth set. Christina Stinson caught the Sabres sleeping with a kill at 23-13 to finalize senior day.  

Maycee Karpfinger carved up the Marian defense with 16 kills in the victory.

Christina Stinson led the flock with 16 assists, while Makenzie Vertz celebrated her birthday with 11 assists.

Annie Marie Olszowska has three of Concordia's 10 service aces.

Madelyn Alton was a vacuum in the back row and had 16 digs.

The CUW front row was a wall on Sunday and have 11 total blocks against the Black and Blue. Junior Olivia Richter (Naperville, Ill.) and sophomore Hannah Himmelman (Geneseo, Ill.) led the block party with five total blocks.

CUW will host Edgewood in the NACC North Semifinals on Thursday night.