Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – When tournament time rolls around, teams might have to face more adversity than they had in the regular season. The Edgewood College volleyball team looked to be on their way to a clean sweep over Concordia University Chicago, but the Cougars stole the third set. However, Edgewood College bounced right back to take the fourth set and advance to the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament Semifinals.

Leading 4-3 in the first set, a Cougar service error sparked a quick 3-0 spurt. Jessica Martin followed with one of her nine kills in the match and Aryn Wellnitz put the Eagles (19-13) up 8-5 with a kill. The Eagles extended their lead throughout the set and held a 23-20 lead after a Mallory Palmer kill forced a Cougar timeout. The teams exchanged points out of the timeout and Martin gave the Eagles the 25-21 first set victory with another kill. Edgewood College hit .306 and Palmer posted five kills in the set.

Concordia Chicago (11-20) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second set before Palmer ignited a 4-0 run with a kill. The Cougars held a slim 8-6 lead when Edgewood College made their move, as Wellnitz and Palmer recorded back-to-back kills to tie the set. Palmer followed that with an ace and Sam Himmelspach recorded a kill on the 9-0 run that gave Edgewood College commanding 15-8 lead. The Cougars battled back and cut their deficit to 19-16, but the Eagles held off the rally and took the set 25-19.

It appeared the Eagles were ready to take the sweep in the third set as they used an 8-2 run to gain a 19-13 advantage. Sarah Schuchhardt recorded two kills on the run while Lindsey Swansby and Palmer accounted for three aces. The Cougars then used a timeout and promptly rolled off six straight points to tie set and force an Eagle timeout. Concordia Chicago scored the first point out of the timeout before the Eagles scored four straight points to take a 23-20 lead. Edgewood College held a 24-23 advantage before the Cougars scored a pair of points to earn their first chance at set point. After a point, Palmer pounded home a kill to put the Eagles ahead 26-25. However, Claire Makey gave the Cougars a 27-26 advantage and Cougars forced a fourth set with 28-26 victory.

The Cougars' momentum carried over to the fourth set as they took a 6-1 lead before the Eagles mounted a comeback. Palmer and Manske recorded back-to-back kills and a Swansby ace tied the set at seven. The Eagles held a narrow 16-15 lead when Palmer and Wellnitz registered consecutive kills to put Edgewood College up 18-15. Palmer gave the Eagles a 23-18 lead and a Katie Wedvick kill gave the Eagles another chance at match point. This time, Edgewood College converted as Palmer hammered home her 16th kill of the match to give the Eagles the 25-19 set win.

Palmer led the Eagles with those 16 kills and tied for the team lead in digs with 14, for her 18th double-double of the season. Himmelspach also tallied 14 digs and Laura Sweeney accounted for 11 more. After Martin's nine kills, Manske and Wellnitz both recorded eight kills and Swansby dished out 49 assists.

Mackey led the Cougars with 15 kills while Maryl Pinotti recorded a match-high 17 digs.

With the win, Edgewood College advances to the semifinals of the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament. The Eagles travel to second seeded Benedictine University on Thursday night. First serve from the Rice Center in Lisle, Ill. is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.