MADISON, WIS. – Men's Volleyball returned to the Todd Wehr Edgedome for an important NACC battle. They faced off with the Concordia Chicago Cougars. The Eagles (5-10, 2-4 NACC) fended off a strong Cougar (6-12, 1-4) rally to claim a 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24) victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Edgewood College started the match with high-flying offense and stifling defense as they rolled to an 11-3 lead. Concordia Chicago chipped the lead down to 19-15 late, but six unanswered featuring five kills clinched a dominant set one for the Eagles.
- Edgewood College hit .407 in the first frame.
- The Eagles continued to soar on offense to start set two with a 7-2 advantage. A 6-3 Cougar stretch would have them within striking distance at 11-9, but Edgewood College hit their stride once more with an 8-1 burst and a 19-10 lead. Concordia Chicago made adjustments and clawed back into the set on a 12-4 explosion as the Eagle lead shrunk to 23-22, but Edgewood College would close out the set.
- The squads sat tied 10-10 early in the third set after exchanging blows early, including each team putting together four unanswered points. A 6-2 run saw momentum turn towards the Cougars as they led 16-12. Concordia Chicago would close the set out on an 8-4 stretch to force a fourth frame.
- The Eagles found the wind at their backs in the early fourth frame. They launched out ahead 8-3, before three unanswered pushed the advantage to 13-7. After Edgewood College led 17-11, the Cougars mounted an impressive comeback with nine points in a row as the visitors led 20-17.
- The Eagles chipped down their deficit, but Concordia Chicago sat at set point 24-23. Edgewood College's offense kicked into gear in the final moments of the set, two kills anchoring a three-point stretch to clinch a conference victory.
- The Eagles outhit the Cougars .161-to-.115 in a grinding affair. Both teams tallied double-digit blocks, with Edgewood College earning a 14-to-11 edge in the category.
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Will Gehrke earned a double-double with 44 assists and 11 digs.
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Owen Voigt tallied 11 kills, six blocks, and two aces. He posted a .350 hitting percentage on 20 swings.
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Owen Hartjes swung for 11 kills and tallied three blocks.
Carsyn Stringfellow recorded nine kills and four blocks.
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Jack Mullane tallied 18 digs.
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Gavin Patterson earned 15 kills, nine digs, and three blocks.
Josh LaBarbera claimed eight kills.
- Van Gaetto paced the Cougars with 18 digs. Jackson Stella added in 15 digs.
- Alexander Ford posted six blocks, while Elijah Mosher had 33 assists.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 14 blocks as a team matched the program single-match record.
- Voigt's 11 kills, six blocks, and two aces were all personal bests. His .350 hitting percentage was his new high among qualifying matches (minimum 20 attempts).
- LaBarbera's eight kills were a career best, as were Mullane's 18 digs.
- The victory evened the series against Concordia Chicago 2-2.
UP NEXT
NACC action will continue on the road Tuesday. The Eagles will hit the road to take on the MSOE Raiders in Milwaukee, Wis. First serve in the NACC battle is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.
