WHITEWATER, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's volleyball team continued its grueling non-conference schedule on Saturday at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational. The Falcons faced Pacific Lutheran and No. 24 Berry.
The Falcons opened the day with a thrilling 23-25, 25-19, 27-29, 25-23, 15-11 victory over Pacific Lutheran.
The Lutes took a commanding lead in the first set at 18-9, but the Falcons clawed back to cut the lead to 24-23 with a kill from senior Paige Stickney (Menomonee Falls, Wis.).
Neither squad was able to get any separation in the beginning of the second set, but a 7-1 run gave the Falcons some breathing room. The run was anchored by two service aces from sophomore McKenna Oetzman (Reedsburg, Wis.).
The Falcons had four set points in the third set, but could not capitalize.
The Birds stayed alive in the fourth set with a strong finish, winning three of the last four points. Junior Skylar Kumprey (New Berlin, Wis.) and senior Noelle Smith (Davenport, Iowa) forced the fifth set with a block at 25-23.
Pacific Lutheran responded with a 6-3 run to open the fifth set but the Falcons showed no quit. Concordia stormed back to tie the set at six. The serve of senior Brianna Lundt (Rosendale, Wis.) broke the 9-9 tied with a 4-0 run to get some late separation and a kill from sophomore Kayla Mulder (Whitehall, Mich.) ended the match at 15-11.
The Falcons once again featured a balanced attack in the opening match with six Falcons having eight or more kills. Paige Stickney led the match with 18 kills to go with her 0.342 hitting percentage.
Three Falcons posted a double-double performance with McKenna Oetzman with 28 assists and 16 digs, senior Abby Proefrock (Grafton, Wis.) with 15 kills and 20 digs and Skylar Kumprey with 14 kills.
Junior Emily Dickmann (Grafton, Wis. led the flock with 33 assists and Brianna Lundt brought in a match-high 27 digs.
McKenna Oetzman finished with a career-best six service aces and Paige Stickney had six blocks.
No. 24 Berry was the third ranked opponent the Falcons have faced in the young season and secured a 25-20 25-23, 25-19 victory.
The Vikings held an early lead in the first set and took the first set at 25-20.
The Falcons posted a valiant fight in the second set that had 15 ties and eight lead changes. Berry claimed the set with the final two points.
Berry took an early lead the third set and never looked back.
Abby Proefrock led Concordia with nine kills in the second match.
Emily Dickmann and McKenna Oetzman both ended with 11 assists.
Brianna Lundt once again led the Birds with 17 digs and Paige Stickney was a part of four blocks.
The Falcons return to action on Wednesday at Wheaton.
