AURORA, Ill. – The Falcons fell in four sets on Thursday night at Aurora. The Spartans secured a 25-23, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18 victory to send Concordia to 5-11 and 2-2 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

The Spartans never trailed in the first set on Thursday night. The Black and Blue pushed the lead to 18-11 with a block. The Falcons never folded and fought until the end. A kill from senior Ashley Habermehl (Brookfield, Wis.) cut the lead to 24-23, but the Spartans took the set on the next point.

The two teams exchanged blows in the second that was 12 ties and six lead changes. Neither team grew a lead larger than two points until Aurora broke away late. Aurora held a 24-20 lead but the serve of senior Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.) helped the Falcons close the set on a 6-0 run. The Birds took the set at 26-24 with a block from senior Paige Stickney (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) and junior Emily Dickmann (Grafton, Wis.).

Concordia looked to take the lead and held the lead in the heart of the third set. A block from senior Noelle Smith (Davenport, Iowa) and Ashley Habermehl forced a timeout at 17-13. The Falcons held a 22-19 lead but the Spartans snuck back and took the set at 26-24.

The Spartans took the lead at 3-2 off an attack error and never gave it back in the fourth set.

Ashley Habermehl led the match with 14 kills, added 16 digs and led the team with three service aces on Thursday night.

Noelle Smith secured six blocks at the net.

Senior Brianna Lundt (Rosendale, Wis.) was busy with 27 digs and sophomore McKenna Oetzman (Reedsburg, Wis.)  led the way with 19 assists.

The Falcons return home and will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday against MSOE.