Women's Volleyball Splits a Strong Saturday Schedule

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's volleyball team wrapped up the Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational on Saturday against a pair of teams receiving votes in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches Poll. The Blue and White opened the day with a 3-0 victory over Bethel and closed the tournament with a 0-3 loss to the host No. 5-ranked Eagles of Northwestern.

The Falcons opened the day with a 25-17 victory in the first set over the Royals.

CUW saw the second and third sets come down to the wire against Bethel.

Sophomore Mickenzi Benter (De Pere, Wis.) finished the second set with a kill at 25-23.

The Blue and White trailed in the third set, 24-23, but flipped the script on Bethel to take the set 26-24 and the match, 3-0.

Mickenzi Benter finished the match with a triple-double with 10 kills, 19 assists and 10 digs. She also led the Falcons along with senior Maycee Karpfinger (Wauwatosa, Wis.) with three service aces.

Junior Lauren Shroba (Bolingbrook, Ill.) led the birds with 13 digs.

The fifth-ranked Eagles proved to be a tough test on Saturday.

CUW held a 23-22 lead in the second set with a kill from Mickenzi Benter, but the Purple and Gold took the next three points to win the set.

The Falcons featured a balanced attack against Northwestern, led by Maycee Karpfinger with nine kills, while also adding 10 digs.

Mickenzi Benter dished out 12 assists and a team-high two service aces. Sophomore Izzy Sternig (West Bend, Wis.) led the flock with 18 assists.

Sophomore Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.) was voted to the All-Tournament Team and had 12 digs.

Paige Stickney was a part of three blocks against the Eagles.

The Falcons open the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday against Carthage.