LIVONIA, Mich- Led by long-time teammates Erica LaBaere and Jodie Kelly, , the Madonna University volleyball team defeated Concordia University - Ann Arbor in three sets on Saturday in the MU Activities Center.

Before the game the Crusaders recognized LaBaere who is a senior this season. 

The Crusaders are now 22-9 on the season and 14-4 in conference play. While the Cardinals fall to 4-23 with a conference record of 2-16. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Set One: The Blue and Gold came out hot in the first set completing two kills, one from Erica Labaere and one by DJ Sargent. Along with a service ace by Olivia Sweeney putting the Crusaders up 3-0. The Cardinals came charging back as Madonna struggled while the visitors went on a 15-3 run to lead 15-6. The Cardinals remained up eight, 19-11, before Olivia Sweeney and Ryan Castle served eight of nine points to knot the score at 19. MU again trailed 24-19, but Jordyn Dawson served seven consecutive points for the comeback victory, 26-24.
• Set Two: The Crusaders started the second set similar to the first with two service aces from Ryan Castle and one kill from Kelly for the 4-0 lead. Keeping their lead the Crusaders scored nine of the next eleven points, with two more service aces from Sweeney and a pair of kills from Sargent and Kelly. Madonna only allowed Concordia to score ten points in this set, final score 25-10. 
• Set Three: Although the Crusaders did not score first in the third set, they halted Concordia with a stellar offense. In Madonna's first five points, Kelly collected three kills giving them the lead, 5-4. Castle also added to this lead with three kills of her own, Madonna 23-20. Besty Cook and Labaere tailed two more kills for the Crusaders a final score of 25-20. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
44-23 Madonna tallied 44 kills to the Cardinals' 23 and outhit Concordia .274 to .066. 
5,3 Sweeney and Castle served up a total of eight aces
.417: Sargent led the Crusaders in hitting at .471 with eight kills while Kelly led MU with 17 kills and added 10 digs
7: LaBaere and Castle each added seven kills and hit over .355

CRUSADER NATION



UP NEXT

• The Crusaders face Lawrence Technological University in the MU  Activities Center on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. for Western Night. 
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at www.mucrusaders.com/live. 

CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS