(Lima, OH) – Concordia volleyball faced off against the University of Northwest Ohio in a WHAC matchup on Wednesday night. The Racers featured a 16-6 overall record and a 6-6 mark in the conference. The Cardinals turned in a solid effort in each set, but the Racers handed CUAA a 3-0 loss in the game.
Lena Thompson (JR/Howard City, MI) led the Cardinals with 6 kills in the match. Madelyn Kragt (SO/Grand Rapids, MI) had a team-high 3 blocks while also recording 4 kills. Libero Janie Bunge (SR/Ottawa Lake, MI) led the team with 14 digs in the game. Kylie Frank (SR/Chelsea, MI) finished with a team-leading 14 assists while also making 6 digs.
Set 1 – UNOH 25, CUAA 19
Concordia scored the first two points of the 1st set off kills from Delaney Bennett (JR/Fruitport, MI) and Madelyn Kragt. The Racers answered with 6 straight points, but another kill from Kragt ended the run. Denae Tolu (JR/Canton, MI) checked into the game and led a 3-0 CUAA run with a service ace and several strong serves.
Lena Thompson and Gabrielle den Boer (SO/Canton, MI) recorded kills to help Concordia stay close, trailing 11-10 near the midway point of the set. However, UNOH used an 11-2 run to take a commanding 22-12 lead. CUAA made a 7-2 run near the end of the set, getting kills from Hailey McCourt (SO/Toledo, OH) and Delaney Bennett, but the Racers claimed set 1 by a score of 25-19.
Set 2 – UNOH 25, CUAA 15
Attack errors by the Racers helped the Cardinals to keep pace in the early stages of set 2. Lena Thompson and Gabrielle den Boer notched early kills, but UNOH used a 9-0 run to take a commanding 20-9 lead. Concordia added some late points as Lena Thompson made a kill and then combined with Madelyn Kragt for a double block. However, UNOH would win 25-15 to finish off set 2.
Set 3 – UNOH 25, CUAA 19
Madelyn Kragt scored Concordia's first point of the set with a push over the net that dropped for a kill. Lena Thompson wound up for a powerful kill and then set up Gabrielle den Boer for a quick spike. Delaney Bennett and den Boer combined for a block, but the Racers consistently maintained a 3-4 point lead.
Hailey McCourt and Lena Thompson recorded service aces and CUAA pulled within a point late in the set, trailing just 20-19. However, UNOH scored five straight points to finish the match with a 25-19 win in set 3.
Concordia will return home on Wednesday, October 17 when they host Rochester for another WHAC matchup. The game is set to begin at 7pm.
