CHICAGO – The University of Chicago volleyball team utilized a staunch defensive effort to beat Concordia (Wis.) University 3-1 on Sunday in the last match of the UChicago Invite.

The No. 16-ranked Maroons improved to 5-1 while dropping the Falcons to 3-1.

A tightly-contested opening set saw the teams go back-and-forth to the end. After a tie at 22-22, CUW produced three-straight points to seize the set 25-22.

While the visitors registered 19 more attack attempts in the second set, the tight Maroon defense stood firm. An early tie at 11-11 soon turned into an 18-12 lead for the hosts. The momentum kept rolling and UChicago cruised to a 25-15 win to even the match.

A 13-3 run in the third set put the Maroons in the driver's seat. While the Falcons trimmed the deficit to 17-14, four kills and an ace provided UChicago the cushion it needed to finish off a 25-17 set.

Near the end of the fourth set, the match seemed destined to go the distance. Concordia (Wis.) held a commanding 21-15 lead and the Maroons looked discombobulated. However, the home side dug deep and turned it around with an impressive 7-0 run to recapture the advantage 22-21. CUW went ahead 23-22, but UChicago would not be denied and scored the final three points to capture the match, 25-23.

The battle at the net proved one-sided. The Maroons accumulated 11 blocks on the day, compared to two by their opponents. UChicago hit .211 as a team while limiting the Falcons to a .089 hitting percentage. The home team also held the edge in digs, 81-70.

Junior Ellie Alden was a force on both ends. She tallied team highs of 10 kills, a .409 hitting percentage and a career-high nine blocks. First-year Cami Cox swung at .353 rate with seven kills. First-year Maggie McInerney posted eight kills, eight digs and two aces. Sophomore Ella Mao contributed 13 digs, four aces and six kills. First-year Emma Lotts posted five blocks of her own.

Senior libero Temilade Adekoya collected 24 digs and four assists. Sophomore setter Maya Patel handed out 27 assists to go with 11 digs. Junior setter Maddie Ryan recorded 17 digs and 11 assists.

NEXT MATCH:

• Wednesday, Sept. 15 @ 7:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at Calvin University