CONCORDIA CHICAGO BOX SCORE

CONCORDIA WISCONSIN BOX SCORE

River Forest, Ill. - Kalynn White combined to post 18 kills and 16 digs over two games in leading the Concordia University Texas volleyball team to a pair of victories on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Concordia Invitational. The Tornados defeated host Concordia Chicago, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22), before sweeping Concordia Wisconsin 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 27-25).

Against Concordia Chicago, White recorded a team-high 13 kills and added eight kills to pace the Tornados. Shelbi Chipman added seven kills and four digs, while Kevyn Jackson totaled a match-high 26 digs as the squad's new libero. Bianca Martinez and Samantha Ladewig finished with 21 and 15 assists, respectively. Ladewig also added three service aces.

Concordia Chicago was led by Sarah Potter, who fell just shy of a double-double with 13 kills and nine digs. Briana Steffenhagen finished with 14 assists and seven digs, while Maryl Pinotti and Claire Mackey were credited with 13 and 10 digs, respectively.

“I am super excited about the way we played today,” said seventh-year head coach April Birdsong after guiding the program to its first 2-0 start since 2004. “Kalynn and Shelbi did a great job on the outside, the middles came through for us when we could get them sets and Kevyn did an amazing job in the back row.”

In the later match versus Concordia Wisconsin, Alison Pringle and Chipman led the offensive attack with 10 kills apiece. Pringle also finished with a career-high .529 hitting percentage after committing just one error on 17 attempts, while Chipman also contributed seven digs and three service aces. The thrilling final set ended in a 27-25 decision when Bianca Martinez set up Kalynn White for a kill after Jackson made a diving play to record one of her 13 digs in the match.

Concordia Wisconsin got strong contributions from Amanda Wilke and Amy Gray. Wilke had eight kills and eight digs, while Gray posted 13 assists and eight digs. Brittany Deinlein registered six kills, six digs and three service aces.

“I think we are a lot more experienced on the court compared to previous years, which is going to be invaluable, and I think that experience is already showing and making a difference right now,” added Birdsong. “The team is going to be more confident going into next weekend's tournament, and this makes me excited about what's to come.”

The Tornados will have the opportunity to begin their season with an unblemished 3-0 record for the first time since gaining full NCAA Division III membership and joining the American Southwest Conference in 1999 when they open up play at the Texas Lutheran Invitational against Pacific Lutheran on Friday, Sept. 9 at noon.
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Concordia Texas def. Concordia Chicago (0-1), 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22)
Concordia Texas (2-0) def. Concordia Wisconsin (0-1), 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 27-25)