MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin women's volleyball team (13-13, 6-6 NACC) fell 3-1 (19-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-25) to Carthage (16-12, 4-4 CCIW) on Saturday afternoon at the R. John Buuck Field House.
In the first set, Concordia Wisconsin and Carthage traded points early, with the Falcons taking a 9-7 lead. CUW continued to battle, using kills from freshman Natalie Nickolai (Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) and sophomore Kirsten Krause (Pocatello, Idaho.) to keep pace with the Firebirds.
The teams continued to exchange points, but Carthage began to create separation late in the frame. The Firebirds used a scoring run to pull ahead and eventually secured the opening set 25-19.
The Falcons recorded six kills while hitting .115 in the first set.
In the second set, Carthage jumped out to an early 8-4 advantage before the Falcons began working their way back. Nickolai recorded a kill to help spark the offense, while freshman Bailey Bonde (Seymour, Ind.)) and senior Emily Dickmann (Grafton, Wis.) added kills to keep CUW within reach.
Concordia Wisconsin continued to battle, eventually tying the set at 14 following a service ace from Dickmann. However, the Firebirds responded with a run to regain control and build a late advantage.
The Falcons attempted to close the gap, with kills from Nickolai and sophomore Kaylee Hlinak (Mishicot, Wis.), but Carthage held on to take the second set 25-20. CUW finished the frame with 10 kills.
In the third set, Concordia Wisconsin responded with a strong start, building an early 10-5 lead. Kills from freshman Brianna Stewart (De Pere, Wis.), Nickolai and Hlinak helped the Falcons establish the Falcons' advantage, while Stewart added back-to-back kills to extend the lead.
Carthage attempted to work its way back into the set, but CUW continued to apply pressure offensively. The Falcons maintained their advantage down the stretch, with Dickmann recording the set-winning kill to secure the 25-19 victory.
CUW recorded nine kills while hitting .241 in the third set, its most efficient offensive performance of the match.
In the fourth set, Carthage opened with a 3-0 run before the Falcons battled back to tie the score at four. The Firebirds responded with a scoring stretch to build a 12-6 advantage and continued to extend their lead.
Concordia Wisconsin looked to cut into the deficit, with kills from Bonde, Hlinak and Stewart helping the Falcons stay within reach. However, Carthage maintained control late in the set, scoring the final points to secure the 25-15 victory and claim the match.
Nickolai led the Falcons with nine kills, seven digs and two block assists. Hlinak added six kills, while Bonde contributed five. Dickmann recorded 24 assists, nine digs and three kills, while freshman Emy Miller (West Bend, Wis.) paced the defensive effort with 31 digs.
Concordia Wisconsin earned the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament and will travel to face No. 2 seed Edgewood at 7 p.m. CST on Nov. 10.
