Box Score

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A historical run by the Wheeling Jesuit volleyball team came to an end on Friday night in the NCAA DII National Semi-Final game against six-time defending champion Concordia University – St. Paul.
 
The Cardinals put in a valiant effort, but the Bulldogs used an aggressive attack to take the 3-0 win: 25-11, 26-16, and 25-12.
 
WJU's season now ends in the Final Four, the furthest any WJU team has ever advanced in the Championship, with a 38-6 record highlighted by a perfect 19-0 record in Mountain East Conference play.
 
Coming into the match, the Cardinals knew they would have to play a flawless game against a decorated Golden Bears squad that includes two first-team AVCA All-Americans.
 
Following the match, WJU head coach Christy Benner reflected on what was a good performance from WJU, but a great performance from Concordia.
 
"I wish we would have played better, but they are a very good team," said Benner. "They served us tough, but we had some looks. Jenna (Pew) played well on her final day. I'm sorry it had to end, but if it's going to end, I'm glad it was against that team."
 
The Cardinals came out to a slow start in the first set, finding it difficult to keep the pace with Concordia's outside hitters and getting behind their blockers. The Golden Bears ran out to a 7-2 lead, forcing two WJU timeouts early. Uncharacteristic mistakes, and a .450/.212 hitting percentage ratio dug a hole for the Cardinals to dig out of, and Concordia kept up the pressure to take the set 25-11.
 
Wheeling Jesuit needed a turnaround in the second set and managed to get off to a quick 2-0 lead early. Jenna Pew began to take control, and after the second set, she led the Cardinals with 6 kills total. However, that wouldn't be enough. Concordia piled on 19 kills in the second set compared to WJU's 6, and Concordia piled on a .451 hitting percentage to WJU's .180.
 
The third set Concordia jumped out to a 10-4 lead before forcing a WJU timeout.  At 13-5 the Golden Bears #10 Erienne Lauersdorf served an ace that found the gap in WJU's defense after a miscommunication on the dig, setting the tone for a 11-1 run by the Golden bears. With nothing to lose, the Cardinals then went on a run of their own, clawing their way to six more points before Concordia put the game away, winning the 3^rd set 25-12.
 
For the seniors on this history-making Cardinals team, an impact has been made on the squad's underclassmen that will be felt for years to come.
 
"I think Gabby and I have left a leadership impact on the team," said senior Jenna Pew. "The young players see that we have raised the bar both on the court and off, and the coaches will keep pushing them to return. "
 
"I want our legacy to be the impact we had on the young girls," added fellow senior Gabby Guanciale. "I want that when they are back here they think about Jenna and I because at the end of the day it's not about how many digs, or how many kills you have at the end of your career, it's the impact you have on your teammates and the program."
 
The Cardinals will only graduate two players from this year's squad, (albeit important players) in Pew and Guanciale. For the "Super Six" core of freshman the experience is one to build on for next year.