(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia volleyball hosted Lourdes on Friday night in WHAC conference play.  The Cardinals came in with a 6-10 record (6-7 WHAC) while the Gray Wolves entered 4-10 overall (4-9 WHAC).  The game was closely contested, requiring a fifth set to determine the winner, but CUAA eventually came away with the 3-2 victory.

Kaitlin Veihl led the team with 9 blocks while tying Kayla Peters with a team-high 14 kills each.  Abigail Austin and Hailey McCourt tied for first with 25 assists apiece.  Tara Schatzle led the back end with 34 digs.

Set 1 – CUAA 27, LU 25

Abigail Austin made a kill near the back line to start a 4-0 CUAA run.  Lourdes came back to tie the set 9-9, but a strong kill from Madalyn Lisman put the Cardinals back ahead.  The Gray Wolves did eventually take the lead, but a late 3-0 run with two Hailey McCourt aces gave Concordia a 20-19 lead.  Lourdes had a chance at a set point with a 25-24 advantage, but Kaitlin Veihl made a kill to tie the game.  Kayla Peters notched an ace and Tara Drinane clinched the set with the game-winning kill.

Set 2 – LU 26, CUAA 24

Madalyn Lisman made the first kill for Concordia in set 2.  Kayla Peters and Kaitlin Veihl combined for two early blocks, their second putting the Cardinals ahead 6-5.  Kayla Peters made a powerful kill for a 15-14 lead and the set remained closely contested with CUAA usually holding a 1-2 point lead.  The Cardinals went up 24-22 with a chance at set point, but Lourdes finished on a 4-0 run to win set two.

Set 3 – CUAA 25, LU 20

Abigail Austin had the first kill in set 3.  Tara Drinane and Kaitlin Veihl combined for an early block as the teams traded points.  Kayla Peters recorded an ace and the Cardinals eventually built a 12-9 lead after a 4-0 run.  McKenzie Peters notched an ace midway through the set as well and Tara Drinane recorded the winning kill in a 25-20 set 3 win.

Set 4 – LU 25, CUAA 22

Abigail Austin made an ace to give Concordia a 4-3 lead.  Austin recorded two more early aces and Tara Drinane had back-to-back kills for a 9-4 advantage.  Lourdes pulled ahead 15-14 midway through the set but Madalyn Lisman quickly tied the game with a kill.  Kaitlin Veihl combined with both Tara Drinane and Hailey McCourt for blocks, giving the team a 19-16 lead.  However, a 9-3 run lifted Lourdes to a 25-22 win and forced a fifth set.

Set 5 – CUAA 15, LU 6

Tara Drinane made the first kill in set 5.  Lourdes took a 4-3 lead, but Hailey McCourt made a kill and McKenzie Peters notched back-to-back go-ahead service aces.  Kaitlin Veihl also made an ace and both Kayla Peters and Hailey McCourt recorded kills down the stretch.  Madalyn Lisman hit the game-winning kill to clinch the win.

Concordia will remain at home on Tuesday, March 23 when they host Madonna at 7pm.