RIVER FOREST, Ill. – The Edgewood College women's volleyball squad played their final road matchup of the 2022 regular season Saturday afternoon. They played a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) foe in Concordia Chicago down south. The Eagles (18-9, 10-2 NACC) clinched a home match in the NACC Tournament with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-21) victory over the Cougars.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Edgewood College landed the first blow with a 6-1 rally for an early 6-3 advantage. Concordia Chicago struck back in 9-3 fashion for a 12-9 lead, but the Eagles found another gear for an 11-3 burst to take a decisive 20-15 lead in the set. A late 5-2 Cougar sprint gave them one last shot, but Edgewood College would take the set off an
Abbey Falk kill.
- Concordia Chicago had momentum early off a 7-2 run for a 10-6 lead and kept Edgewood College away as the two matched almost point to point until the Eagles offense found their opening. Down 18-15, Edgewood College would finish on a 10-3 rally to take the second frame handily.
- The Eagles would claim the first real lead of the third and final set off a 4-0 rally featuring three kills as they claimed a 9-6 edge. A 7-2 follow-up put them firmly ahead at 16-11, but the Cougars would prove tenacious as they tied the set up 18 all with a 7-2 response of their own. Edgewood College would close the book on the match soon after, however, with a 7-3 sprint to take home the sweep.
- Three Eagles finished with double-doubles;
Abigail Hoffmann with 12 kills and 15 assists,
Taylor Salmon with 22 assists and 12 digs, and
Ashley Bruehlman with 11 kills and 10 digs.
- Four Edgewood College players finished with double digit digs.
Kate Gunderson had 13 and
Lea Bunch 11.
- The Eagles won the hitting battle .199 to .135. Concordia Chicago had more aces and blocks than the Eagles (10 to seven and six to three respectively).
- Grace Heyward finished with 13 kills and three aces for the Cougars.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Edgewood College clinched a home matchup in the NACC postseason with the victory. Their last home match in the tournament was back in 2017.
- Gunderson's 13 digs was her single-match career best.
- The Eagles have now won five straight and 12 of 14.
- Edgewood College leads the series 12-7 against Concordia Chicago since 2001.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will return home for their regular season finale against the Alverno Inferno. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Edgedome. Edgewood College leads the series against the Inferno 25-0 since 2001.
