MEQUON, Wis. – Women's Volleyball continued NACC action on the road Saturday. They took on the Concordia Wisconsin Falcons in a rematch of last year's NACC Tournament Semifinal. The Eagles (13-4, 3-0 NACC) overcame a tough second set for a 3-1 (25-22, 15-25, 25-20, 25-18) victory over the Falcons (8-7, 1-2).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin struck first in a back-and-forth first set, a 4-0 rally pushing them up 13-9. A 4-1 response kept Edgewood University within striking distance 14-13 and another 4-1 stretch pulled them even 18-18. The Eagles offense took over to finish the first set, four kills and an ace fueling a 4-1 stretch that pushed them ahead 23-21 on route to a 1-0 lead.
- While the Edgewood University offense pulled them even 6-6 after the Falcons started ahead 4-1, Concordia Wisconsin took over the second set with eight unanswered. The Falcons held the Eagles to a .128 hitting percentage in the frame.
- A strong 4-1 start from Edgewood University was offset by six in a row from the hosts as they led 7-4. The Eagles offense found its winds on a 11-2 surge while Concordia Wisconsin never closed within more than three points for the rest of the set. A 5-1 burst that included three kills and an ace all but closed out the frame as Edgewood University earned a 2-1 lead in the match.
- While the Falcons had the wind at their back for a 4-0 rally early in the fourth set, the Eagles replied with six unanswered and a 9-5 advantage. Concordia Wisconsin drew even 11-11 on a 6-2 run. The squads wrestled over slim leads down the stretch, but Edgewood University hit its stride late to close out the set and match. A 10-2 rally featuring smothering defense clinched the Eagles' third-straight conference victory.
- Edgewood University outhit the Falcons .208-to-.142.
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Nida Zukauskaite paced the Eagles with 15 kills and earned a double-double with 13 digs. She hit .353 on 34 attempts with only three errors.
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Shannon Rusch continued a strong stretch of play at libero, posting 32 digs.
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Abbey Eivins and
Laila Rasmussen were key cogs in the Edgewood University offense with 26 and 19 assists respectively. Eivins added eight digs and a pair of aces.
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Natalie Murphy swung for 10 kills.
Payton Millin contributed eight kills and four blocks.
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Anna Marinier recorded a pair of aces and
Molly Amendt three blocks.
- Emily Dickmann posted 28 assists, 12 digs, four blocks, and two aces as a key contributor to Concordia Wisconsin.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Millin's four blocks pushed her into the 300 career blocks club. She is the eighth Eagle to reach the milestone.
- Rusch's 32 digs were a personal best.
- Edgewood University has won four in a row over the Falcons.
- Zukauskaite has hit over .200 in five of her last seven outings as well as five double-doubles in the same timeframe.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will continue road NACC action next Thursday. They'll travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on the MSOE Raiders. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
