With an influx of new players and a new head coach this summer, the Concordia volleyball squad is still trying to work out the kinks that a young team usually faces. After dropping both games at the Spring Arbor Invitational on Thursday, the Cards had little time to make adjustments with practices as they took to the court on Friday for another pair of games at the UofM-Dearborn Invitational. As was the case the day prior, Concordia dropped both its games Friday, but there is a silver lining.

Volleyball head coach Dan Kirchhoff was keenly aware that the squad he inherited this summer was very young. But with a strong emphasis on the tactical side of the game and a dedication to a physical training regimen, Kirchhoff knows that they are building for the future and with that will come its fair share of valleys to the occassional peak.

After dropping both games at the Spring Arbor Invitational on Thursday, the squad wasn't able to address its shortcomings on the practice court as they headed to the UofM-Dearborn Invitational for two games on Friday as well as another pair of games on Saturday.

While Friday didn't produce a victory, it did demonstrate that progress is being made as the squad begins to find their way in the early stages of the season.

After losing all six sets while being swept twice on Thursday, the Cardinals largest scoring output in any given set was 17 points, which they did once against the host Cougars of Spring Arbor and once against Mt. Vernon Nazarene.

Friday's play was clearly much improved. Facing off against Mt. Vernon for the second day in a row, the Cards were still swept, but the games were much closer as they fell 30-15, 30-22, 30-22. The improvement continued as they battled hard against Bethel College, falling in four sets 18-30, 30-26, 17-30, 24-30.

The Cardinals will take to the court again on Saturday as they wrap up the UofM-Dearborn Invitational. The team will have several days of practice before hosting the Concordia Invitational Tournament on Sept. 1-2. The Cardinals will welcome two other Concordia's (Chicago and Mequon), as well as the University of Purdue-North Central. Last season, the Cardinals lost in the Championship game against Concordia-Seward, who will not be participating in the 2006 Volleyball CIT.