by Eric Willuweit

Chicago, Ill. – The Illinois Tech women's volleyball team christened the new Keating Center main court and new Hawk banner with an exciting five-set 3-2 victory over Concordia Chicago in their NACC conference-opener Wednesday night. With the win, the Scarlet Hawks improved to 5-2 overall(1-0 NACC). The Cougars dropped to 3-5(0-1).

Competing on the main court that was reimaged and resurfaced over the summer, and in front of the newly-minted Scarlet Hawk logo banner at the South end of the court, the Hawks and the Cougars put on a show for an enthusiastic crowd that was in attendance for the home opener. 

How It Happened

• The Cougars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set, and despite the Hawks tying the set at 3-3, Concordia Chicago never trailed in the set. Runs of 4-0 and 5-0 helped propel the Cougars to a 25-21 set one victory.
• The Scarlet Hawks responded in set two, their best set of the match. After the Cougars pulled within one point at 5-4, the Hawks used runs of 4-0 and 7-0 to build a commanding lead for the 25-15 set two victory.
• Set three was evenly contested deep into the set, with 6 tie scores. After the Cougars pulled out in front 18-16, the Hawks used a 4-0 run to take the lead for good en route to a 25-20 set three victory.
• Concordia Chicago countered with their best set of the match, taking an early 3-0 lead and never trailing, as they thwarted several attempts by the Scarlet Hawks to tie up the match. The Cougars eventually pulled away using an 8-0 run to claim set four 25-15.
• Set five was the most compelling of the match, with 10 tie scores and five lead changes. With the matched tied at 12-12, the Hawks used a double-block by Victoria Vann and Jessica Weaver, and separate kills by Maria Fernanda Alcantara and Zoe Michael for a 3-0 to finish out the set and the match with a 15-12 victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Briar Moore paced the Scarlet Hawks with 12 kills, while adding 8 digs and five assists.
• Sadie Harrington added 7 kills.
• Emily Graham added five kills with 10 digs.
• Grace Reckamp led with 20 assists while adding 10 digs.
• Allison Wilkins had 13 assists with 8 digs.
• Jessica Weaver had 6 total blocks to go along with 5 kills
• Victoria Vann had 5 total blocks.
• Stephanie Nguyen led with 15 digs and tied with 2 service aces

Up Next

The Scarlet Hawks continue home play on Saturday, September 17th when they host Lake Forest College and Central College(IA) in a non-conference tri-match at the Keating Sports Center. The Hawks will face-off against Lake Forest at 11am CT, and with Central at 3pm CT. Lake Forest and Central will play the middle match at 1pm CT.