Cascade Collegiate Conference VB - Concordia 3, NU 1

(KIRKLAND, Wash) - Concordia University defeated Northwest University, 3-1 (25-22, 16-25, 25-21, 25-22) in four closely contested sets tonight in Cascade Conference play in the NU Pavilion.

Concordia jumped out to an early 10-5 lead in the first set capped off by Erika Doremus' kill. The Eagles would battle back to pull to within two, 12-10 and then CU would go on a 7-0 run to build their lead to 17-10. Northwest would hang with the Cavaliers to finally make it a two point set, 22-20, but an Eagle attack error and a CU kill by Clair Thiel would end the set at 25-22.

In the second set and after being down, 8-7, Northwest would pull ahead 13-10 on two straight CU miscues in attacks and would then out score the Cavs 12-6 to take set two punctuated at the end my Molly Boyle's kill.

Concordia would lead the entire set after NU took a brief 2-0 lead. Tough Cavalier play coupled with NU miscues would help CU build a commanding 13-5 lead. With CU leading 18-10, NU would score 5 straight points aided by two services aces by Lauryn Ernster and kills by Lauren Holtz and Kacie Simpson. Raluca Dinca's kill would help build CU's lead to 23-18, but a Sarah Stoker kill and Anu Akamine service ace would make it 23-20. The Cavs would close out the set assisted by an NU attack error and another Dinca kill.

In the fourth set, it looked as though NU might even the match after building a 11-7 lead on two straight Elle Ottow service aces, but Cu would hang around and chip away at the NU lead with help by Sara Harper's two straight aces. After two ties at 13-13 and 14-all, Concordia would take the lead for good at 17-14 on two straight Northwest attack errors and a service ace by Raluca Dinca. NU would make one last push at Cu and pull within one point, 23-22, but a Dinca kill and NU attack error would end the set and the match.

Senior Lauren Holtz recorded 13 kills and 9 kills on Eagle Senior Night as Sarah Stoker and Molly Boyle, two freshman, would each have 11 kills on the night. Lauryn Ernster would record a match high 43 assists and 11 digs and libero, Heather Shulke would have a match high 25 digs on the night. Anu Akamine added 18 digs and 3 service aces for Northwest U. (15-8, 10-6 CCC).

Raluca Dinca led Concordia (18-7, 13-3 CCC) with her 15 kills and 18 digs plus two service aces. Clair Thiel and Sara Harper each added 10 kills for the Cavs. Aubrie Concannon had a team high 24 digs for CU who solidified their hold on third place in the CCC. Northwest holds on to 4th place in the conference , two matches ahead of Eastern Oregon.