WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's volleyball team put together a strong start on Tuesday night, showcasing an impressive offensive attack and defensive presence in a five-set battle at Carroll. The Falcons claimed the opening two sets before the Pioneers emerged with a 3-2 victory (14-25, 17-25, 25-17, 25-18, 15-7).
The Falcons moved to 8-10 on the season.
Concordia Wisconsin delivered an impressive performance in the opening set, using a strong stretch midway through the frame to take control. Trailing 11-10, the Falcons rattled off five consecutive points behind the serving of Emy Miller to build a 15-11 advantage. CUW continued to apply pressure, closing the set on a 9-1 run to claim a commanding 25-14 victory.
The Falcons carried that momentum into the second set, racing out to a 5-0 lead behind three kills from Kirsten Krause and another from Brianna Stewart.
Concordia Wisconsin continued to control the tempo, extending its advantage to 18-7. The Falcons finished the set with a 25-17 victory, hitting .250 in the frame.
Carroll responded in the third set with a 25-17 decision, despite the Falcons receiving contributions from Krause, Stewart, Bailey Bonde and Amiyah Jackson.
The Pioneers claimed the fourth set, 25-18, to force a decisive fifth frame. Concordia Wisconsin continued to battle, with Stewart providing a strong presence at the net and Emily Dickmann delivering consecutive service aces late in the fourth set.
Carroll secured the deciding set, 15-7.
Krause paced the Falcon offense with 13 kills, 11 digs and two service aces, recording a double-double. She also contributed a solo block.
Bonde turned in an efficient offensive performance, finishing with nine kills on 15 attempts without an attacking error for an impressive .600 hitting percentage.
Stewart added eight kills and was a force at the net, recording four solo blocks and one block assist. The Falcons finished with eight team blocks.
Dickmann directed the CUW offense with 33 assists while adding 12 digs and two service aces.
Miller anchored the back row with a match-high 27 digs, while Samantha Thomas contributed 13 digs. The Falcons finished with 82 digs and seven service aces.
Concordia Wisconsin will return to Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference action on Thursday against Rockford, looking to build on its strong stretches of play from Tuesday's contest.
