(Ann Arbor, MI) - Concordia volleyball hosted a tri-match on Tuesday afternoon, facing off against Judson and Kuyper. The Cardinals prevailed 3-2 in a five-set match over Judson and swept Kuyper 3-0 to finish off the day.
GAME ONE: CUAA 3, Judson 2
Breann June led the team with 17 kills and Claudia Grepke finished a close second with 16 kills. June also tied with Jillian Kendrick for a team-best four aces. Emma Leinberger had a team-high of 23 assists. Emiline Wood led the back end with 24 digs.
Set 1 – CUAA 25, Judson 16
Breann June opened the game with the team's first four kills. Claudia Grepke hammered three early kills as well, and June added back-to-back aces later in the set. The duo continued to pace the offense with Breann June notching the winning kill.
Set 2 – Judson 25, CUAA 16
Once again Breann June had the first Cardinal kill. Merin Merkle combined with both Claudia Grepke and Jessalyn Peavyhouse for blocks early in the set. Peavyhouse and Megan Neumann also teamed up for a late block, but Judson took set two.
Set 3 – CUAA 25, Judson 21
Breann June notched an early ace in set three. Jillian Kendrick caught fire while serving with four service aces to build an 11-4 lead. Jessalyn Peavyhouse added three kills down the stretch. Claudia Grepke notched a winning kill to clinch set three.
Set 4 – Judson 25, CUAA 16
Claudia Grepke made the first Cardinal kill in set four. Jessalyn Peavyhouse added three more kills in the set as the team looked to keep pace. However, Judson took the set which forced a fifth set to determine the winner.
Set 5 – CUAA 15, Judson 8
The first Cardinal kill was made by Claudia Grepke in set five. CUAA used a 4-0 run to erase a 6-3 deficit, capped by a kill from Breann June. Megan Neumann teamed up with Breann June for a block as the team continued to pull away. Emma Leinberger sent a serve off the hands of a Judson player to make an ace and clinch the game.
GAME TWO: CUAA 3, Kuyper 0
Courtney Kalahar led the team with 10 kills. Emma Leinberger had a team high of 22 assists and 11 digs while tying Joy Pryor with six aces.
Set 1 – CUAA 25, Kuyper 9
Emma Leinberger made three straight aces to open the game. Jacey Powell notched 2 early kills and both Maggie Pritts and Emiline Wood added aces. Courtney Kalahar and Jessalyn Peavyhouse each recorded 3 kills down the stretch as the Cardinals took set one.
Set 2 – CUAA 25, Kuyper 14
Courtney Kalahar had the first kill in set two. Jacey Powell made 2 early kills and Emma Leinberger notched back-to-back aces. Sarah Eggelmeyer had an ace and Breann June smashed 3 straight kills. Joy Pryor and Jillian Kendrick added aces down the stretch allowing the Cardinals to claim set 2.
Set 3 – CUAA 25, Kuyper 4
The third set began with a kill by Courtney Kalahar. Claudia Grepke notched several early kills. The Cardinals made a 19-0 run behind the serves of Joy Pryor with Pryor adding 4 aces during the run. Claudia Grepke continued to pace the offense and Merin Merkle claimed the winning kill to secure the sweep.
Concordia's next game is in Upland, Indiana on Friday, August 30th at 4pm during the Amber McClure Fayerweather Memorial Tournament against Indiana South Bend.
