Cougars Overcome Fast Start From WLC, Wempner's Record Performance

MILWAUKEE (WLCSports.com) - Sophomore Drew Wempner (West Allis, Wis.) recorded a program-record 20 kills, but Wisconsin Lutheran College couldn't capitalize on an opening set victory in a 3-1 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference loss to Concordia Chicago on Wednesday at the Time of Grace Center.

The Warriors (3-16, 0-7 NACC), who were playing their first home conference match in 25 days, fell to the Cougars (8-12, 3-5 NACC) by scores of 24-26, 25-21, 25-18, 25-23. 

WLC scored the first three points of the opening set behind two aces from sophomore Connor Haeuser (West Bend, Wis.). CUC responded with three points of its own. After some back-and-forth action, Wisconsin Lutheran held a 10-8 lead. Concordia Chicago scored the next six points to take a 14-10 advantage. The Warriors slowly worked their way back, tying the set at 17-17 apiece. The Cougars regained the lead, but WLC never let them pull away, and tied it up again at 24-24. Wisconsin Lutheran scored the final two points to win a close first set 26-24.

CUC jumped out to an early 5-1 lead to start the second set, and continued to keep the Warriors at bay, as they led 17-10. WLC battled back, cutting Concordia Chicago's lead to 24-21 thanks to a kill from Haeuser, however, the Cougars would go on to win the second set 25-21.

A back-and-forth start to the third set resulted in a 7-6 CUC lead. Concordia Chicago slowly grew its lead to six as it held a 15-9 advantage. A pair of kills from Drew Wempner cut Wisconsin Lutheran's deficit to two points. The Cougars didn't allow the Warriors to come any closer, as they picked up the third set with a 25-18 final.

WLC jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the fourth set. CUC quickly knotted the score at 7-7 apiece. Both teams exchanged points and a 4-0 spurt from Concordia Chicago gave them a 17-12 lead. Wisconsin Lutheran worked its way back into the set, as it trailed 20-19, but was unable to close the gap as it dropped the fourth set 25-23. 

Drew Wempner paced the Warriors with a program-record 20 kills, which was also good for a match high. Senior Grant Wempner (Garden Grove, Calif.) finished with eight kills and freshman Sean Kane (Tinley Park, Ill.) collected seven, as WLC hit .209 with 50 kills, 22 errors, on 134 total attacks. Junior James Biedenbender (La Crosse, Wis.) finished with 23 assists and junior Jay Thammavongsa (Franklin, Wis.) had a double-double of 13 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore Trevor Salutric (Lockport, Ill.) added nine digs. Thammavongsa and Haeuser tallied three service aces each.

Marcin Hoffman had a team-high 11 kills as CUC hit .279 with 46 kills, 15 errors, on 111 attempts. Elijah Mosher had a match-high 38 assists and Van Gaetto tallied 13 digs.

WLC travels to River Forest, Illinois on Saturday to face Dominican (12-7, 7-1 NACC) at 1 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.