MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin women's volleyball team successfully defended their home court on Thursday, in the team's annual Dig Pink Night, securing a 3-1 victory over the Marian Sabres with scores of 25-9, 24-26, 25-22, and 25-19. This win improves the Falcons' overall record to 7-9 and their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) record to 2-1.
In the opening set, the Falcons quickly took control, surging to an 11-4 lead after an impressive 8-0 run, which included a kill from junior Mickenzi Benter (De Pere, Wis.) and contributions from Paige Stickney (Menomonee Falls, Wis.), who recorded a block and several points.
The run culminated with an ace from junior Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.). CUW extended their lead with another 8-0 run, driven by junior Noelle Smith's (Davenport, Iowa) serving. A kill from Stickney pushed the Falcons past the 20-point mark, and after two Sabre errors and another kill from Proefrock, Benter delivered the final blow with an assist from McKenna Oetzman (Reedsburg, Wis.).
The Sabres found their rhythm in the second set, battling back from an early 9-5 deficit to tie the score at 11-all. Although the Falcons appeared poised to take a 2-0 lead with four unanswered points, featuring two kills from Stickney and a service ace from Benter, the Sabres rallied, overcoming a 22-24 deficit to win the set 26-24 and level the match.
After regrouping during the break, the Falcons started strong in the third set, establishing a 9-5 lead. They then scored nine of the next 14 points to extend their lead to 20-14, thanks to a combined block from Stickney and Benter, along with three consecutive kills and a service ace from Stickney.
Despite a spirited comeback from Marian, which saw them take a brief 22-20 lead, the Falcons responded with a five-point run to clinch the set 25-22. Key kills from sophomore Skylar Kumprey (New Berlin, Wis.), Benter, and Smith helped secure the victory.
In the fourth set, the Falcons jumped out to a 10-3 lead, sparked by three points from Oetzman's serve. Sophomore Emily Dickmann (Grafton, Wis.) further extended CUW's lead with a timely kill. The Falcons maintained their momentum, scoring five consecutive points, including another ace from Noelle Smith, to go up 21-14. Benter contributed a kill and a service ace, while Stickney's swing set up match point.
A final service error from the Sabres sealed the fourth set at 25-19, giving the Falcons the match 3-1.
For the first time in her career, Proefrock led the Falcons with 12 kills, hitting an impressive .407 and recording a double-double with 14 digs. Stickney also reached double digits in kills, boasting a team-high attacking percentage of .435, while Kumprey added 10 kills.
Oetzman directed the offense with 19 assists, marking her eighth match leading the team in that category. Smith achieved a career-high five service aces.
Defensively, Paige Stickney contributed six total blocks, including one solo, while Benter recorded six block assists.
As a team, the Falcons set a new season high with 20 total blocks, surpassing their previous record of 18 against Carroll.
Junior Brianna Lundt (Brandon, Wis.) led the defense with 15 digs, followed by McKenna Oetzman and senior Emma Essex (Hoffman Estates, Ill.), who recorded 11 and 10 respectively.
The Falcons will look to continue their success on Saturday as they host the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks for another conference matchup.
