WAUKESHA, WI - Carroll University women's volleyball completed a thrilling comeback Tuesday night inside Van Male Field House, erasing a two-set deficit to defeat Concordia University Wisconsin in five sets. After dropping the opening two frames, the Pioneers rallied to win three consecutive sets. The victory improves Carroll's overall record to 13-10.
The Falcons controlled the opening set, breaking an 11-11 tie with four consecutive points before extending their lead to 18-13. Concordia Wisconsin continued to apply pressure, scoring seven of the final eight points to secure a 25-14 victory.
Concordia Wisconsin carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 5-0 advantage before extending its lead to 18-7. Carroll attempted to work its way back into the frame, but the Falcons maintained control and closed out the set 25-17, taking a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Facing elimination, Carroll responded in the third set. The Pioneers established an early 11-7 advantage before Concordia Wisconsin trimmed the deficit to 16-15. Carroll answered with a four-point run to take a 20-15 lead, eventually closing out the frame 25-17 behind a Lexi Proctor kill. The Pioneers recorded 16 kills while hitting .263 in the set, beginning to find their offensive rhythm.
Carroll carried that momentum into the fourth set, jumping out to a 9-5 advantage behind kills from Audrey Rosenbaum and Proctor. The Falcons battled back to pull within one at 13-12, but the Pioneers responded with four consecutive points, including a perfectly placed Carly Hicklin service ace, to extend their lead to 17-12. Carroll continued to control the frame, building a 21-15 advantage before Proctor delivered the final kill to secure a 25-18 victory and force a decisive fifth set.
With momentum firmly on its side, Carroll came out firing in the final frame. The Pioneers established an 8-4 lead before extending their advantage to 12-4, highlighted by kills from Proctor and Kylie Wittnebel. Concordia Wisconsin attempted to battle back, but Carroll maintained control, with Wittnebel delivering the match-winning kill to complete the comeback with a 15-7 victory. The Pioneers hit an impressive .333 in the fifth set, committing just two attack errors.
Carroll finished the night with 61 kills, 55 assists, seven service aces, 90 digs and six total blocks. After hitting a negative percentage in the opening set, the Pioneers found their offensive rhythm over the final three frames, recording 41 kills while hitting .229.
Rosenbaum led the Pioneer offense with a match-high 17 kills while adding six digs. Proctor followed with 16 kills on a .333 hitting percentage, seven assists, seven digs and one solo block. Wittnebel contributed nine kills and two solo blocks, while Clara Justice added eight kills and one solo block. Samantha Miserendino anchored the defense with a team-high 24 digs. Ashley Miller led Carroll with 23 assists and two service aces, while Payton Depies added 18 assists.
The Pioneers return to CCIW action on Friday, October 16, when they host Augustana College inside Van Male Field House. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
