Volleyball falls on the road to Aquinas

Posted: Sep 20, 2018

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Concordia volleyball traveled to Aquinas on Wednesday night for a WHAC conference matchup. The Cardinals entered looking to claim their first conference win of the season while the Saints came in with an 11-4 overall record. Aquinas would emerge with the 3-0 win in the end despite a strong effort from CUAA.

Delaney Bennett (JR/Fruitport, MI) led the Concordia effort with 8 kills in the game. Gabrielle den Boer (SO/Canton, MI) finished second with 6 kills. Tara Schatzle (SO/Brooklyn, MI) led the team with 7 digs. Kylie Frank (SR/Chelsea, MI) notched a team-high 20 assists in the match along with 6 digs. Denae Tolu (JR/Canton, MI) and Janie Bunge (SR/Ottawa Lake, MI) each contributed 6 digs as well.

Set 1 – AQ 25, CUAA 12

Aquinas jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but a kill from Madelyn Kragt (SO/Grand Rapids, MI) ended the run. Gabrielle den Boer contributed multiple kills to keep the Cardinals in the game, but the Saints continued to pull ahead. Lena Thompson (JR/Howard City, MI) chipped in 2 kills near the end of the set, but Aquinas came away with a 25-12 win.

Set 2 – AQ 25, CUAA 22

A kill by Delaney Bennett started off a tough battle in set 2. After trailing 8-5, the Cardinals put together a 7-0 run behind the strong serving of Kylie Frank. Concordia held several 4-point leads throughout the set, leading 17-13 in the late stages. Aquinas battled back to take a 22-20 lead, but the Cardinals responded tying the match 22-22. However, the Saints won the final 3 points to go up 2-0 in the match.

Set 3 – AQ 25, CUAA 15

Aquinas began the game on a 6-0 run until Delaney Bennett recorded a kill for the Cardinals' first point. Lena Thompson and Janie Bunge recorded kills early in the set, but Aquinas pulled away to take a 17-5 lead. Gabrielle den Boer then paced Concordia to a 4-0 run, making a kill and several powerful serves. However, Aquinas would seal the match with a 25-15 win in set 3.

The Cardinals will return home on Saturday, September 22 when they play host to rival Siena Heights for a WHAC conference matchup. The game is set to begin at 1pm.