Kenosha, Wis. – The Carroll University women's volleyball team has eight CCIW contests scheduled for the spring of 2021. The Pioneers began their season at Carthage College against the newly named Firebirds, but fell in straight sets, 17-25, 22-25, and 19-25. Freshman Ashley Konecki finished with 11 kills on 27 attempts and nine digs, Emily Konop collected 14 digs with an ace, and Kelly Reynolds had a team-high 17 assists.
 
The Pioneers (0-1, 0-1 CCIW) played with a young roster, including two freshman starters in Konecki and Katie Jensen (7 Kills, .130%). The women had their best attacking set in the first when they finished with a 29.6% hitting percentage with 11 kills. The Pios led in the digs category thanks to Konop, but the Firebirds led in every other category, including outscoring the Pios 55 points to 37.
 
In the first set, the Pioneers stayed close with the Firebirds, until the Carthage went on a 6-0 run and went up 12-6 before Carroll called a timeout. Carroll pulled back to within six again thanks to a Sophia Camacho (5 Kills) kill in the middle. Carthage pulled back away winning the first set 25-17. Camacho and Jensen finished with three kills each, and Konop collected four digs.
 
The Pios took a 4-3 lead in the start of the second set thanks to a Konop service ace. Carthage responded with a 5-0 run. Pios pulled back to stay close with the Firebirds, igniting a 3-0 run thanks to two kills and a block by Lindsey Hella (1 Kill, 1 Block). Carthage stepped back on the gas and went up 14-9 shortly after. Senior Sam Penzkowski (10 Digs, 8 Kills) grabbed a kill to cut the Carthage lead to three, and Konecki added two kills later to tie up the set at 21. Carthage ended the set on a 4-1 run. Konecki finished with six kills in the second set.
 
Carroll jumped out to a 5-2 lead to start the third, ignited by two Penzkowski kills. Two kills from Konecki from two Emily Schliesman (16 Assists, 1 ace) assists gave the Pios an 8-4 lead. Carthage roared back with a 4-1 run with three kills and a Pio error. Carthage took the lead 13-12 and continued to score until they were up 17-12 until Camacho slowed them down with a kill. The Pioneers tried to fight back but Carthage scored on five of the final seven volleys to win the match.
 
The Pioneers will next face the Millikin Big Blue on Feb. 28 in Decatur, Ill. The Pios are 1-4 against the Big blue since rejoining the CCIW in 2016.