MADISON – Women's Volleyball returned to NACC action at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Thursday night. They took on the Concordia Chicago Cougars. The Eagles (12-4, 2-0 NACC) employed their deep roster in route to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-18) sweep of the Cougars (5-8,1-1).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- While Concordia Chicago rolled with their serves to a 5-2 mark early, Edgewood University stormed back with a 6-1 response. The teams battled back and forth before the Eagles took over. Down 11-10, a 12-4 stretch all but put away the Cougars in the opening frame.
- After exchanging small runs early, six unanswered featuring four-straight kills pushed Edgewood University ahead 13-6. While a 4-0 run pulled Concordia Chicago within three, a 10-3 burst from the Eagles sent them flying towards a 2-0 lead.
- Seven kills and an ace fueled a 9-4 advantage in the third frame for Edgewood University. A 6-2 follow-up had the Eagles soaring 15-9, but the Cougars had one last run in them. A 6-1 sprint pulled Concordia Chicago within 16-15. Edgewood University left little room for doubt, finishing the match on a 9-3 rally including three straight kills to close the door on the Cougars.
-
Anna Marinier shined, hitting four kills in the final frame.
Hope Hesselberg stepped up late in the second set with four assists of her own
- The Eagles dominated, winning the hitting battle .239 to -.034. Edgewood University had a 43-to-16 advantage in kills.
-
Nida Zukauskaite posted 10 kills and seven digs.
Natalie Murphy added seven of her own.
-
Payton Millin stepped up on offense and defense with six kills and a pair of blocks.
-
Abbey Eivins and
Laila Rasmussen continued to shine as a setter tandem. Eivins posted 15 assists and two aces while Ramussen recorded 14 assists and seven digs.
-
Shannon Rusch contributed 15 digs and three aces as the primary libero.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Zukauskaite is third in the NACC with 3.47 kills per set.
- The Eagles have won five in a row against Concordia Chicago.
- Marinier's four kills matched her personal best, while Hesselberg's four assists were a new high.
UP NEXT
Edgewood University heads to Mequon, Wis. as NACC action continues. They'll battle with the Concordia Wisconsin Falcons in a rematch of last year's NACC Tournament Semifinal clash. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
