Falcons Fight Hard in Five-Set Thriller

PLYMOUTH, Wis. –  In their return to conference play, the Concordia University Wisconsin women's volleyball team battled hard but fell to the Lakeland Muskies in a thrilling five-set match: 13-25, 28-26, 15-25, 25-12, and 17-15. This defeat brought the Falcons' overall record to 6-9 and their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) record to 1-1.

The first set saw the Muskies quickly take a 9-4 lead. Although the Falcons, sparked by junior Noelle Smith (Davenport, Iowa), fought back to tie the set at 12-12, Lakeland responded with an impressive eight-point run to seize the first set.

Emerging from the break, the Falcons regained their composure. With the score tied at 7-7, junior Paige Stickney (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) delivered a pivotal kill, initiating a 5-0 run that included three service aces from junior Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.). Concordia then stretched its lead to 15-8 thanks to consecutive kills from Stickney.

Despite the Falcons' momentum, the Muskies rallied to tie the match at 24-24. Sophomore Skylar Kumprey (New Berlin, Wis.) put CUW ahead at 25-24, but Lakeland responded to regain the lead at 26-25. With their backs against the wall, Smith leveled the score at 26, with freshman McKenna Oetzman (Reedsburg, Wis.) assisting her. Smith then closed out the tightly contested second set with two service aces, securing a 28-26 win and tying the match at 1-1.

The third set mirrored the first, as Lakeland jumped out to an early lead, ultimately winning 25-15. However, the Falcons turned the tide in the fourth set, dominating to take it 25-12. CUW established an 11-3 lead, highlighted by two service aces from senior Emma Essex (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) and consecutive kills from sophomore Emily Dickmann (Grafton, Wis.). The Falcons maintained control throughout the set, with junior Mickenzi Benter (De Pere, Wis.) contributing multiple kills. Benter capped the set with a service ace, forcing a decisive fifth set.

Building on their momentum, the Falcons surged to a 6-0 lead in the final set, aided by two kills from Proefrock. A service error from the Muskies allowed CUW to extend its advantage to 11-3. Undeterred, Lakeland launched a comeback with a 4-0 run followed by a 5-0 run to tie the score at 13.

A kill from Benter put the Falcons one point away from victory as they now led 15-14, but the Muskies responded with three consecutive points, clinching the fifth set 17-15 and securing a 3-2 win.

Despite the loss, four Falcons recorded double-digit kills, with Kumprey leading the way with 12, followed closely by Stickney with 11 and both Smith and Benter contributing 10. CUW registered a total of 53 kills, outpacing Lakeland's 46.

McKenna Oetzman led the team with 21 assists and 20 digs, while Emily Dickmann added 18 assists. From the service line, the Falcons tallied 16 aces, with Abby Proefrock accounting for five. Defensively, Noelle Smith contributed four block assists.

Looking ahead, the Falcons will take a week's break before returning to the court next Thursday to host the Marian Sabres.