SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball team kicked off the season at the CSUSM Cougar Classic on Friday. The first game of the season was against host team Cal State San Marcos and what an exciting first match it was as the Golden Eagles took the Cougars to five sets.
 
Kennedy Farley started things off for CUI from the service line going on a six point run to take an early lead. The Cougars slowly came back in the game while the score toggled between both teams until CSUSM closed out the first set by a close count of 23-25.
 
The second and third sets went in favor of the Golden Eagles as libero Cassidy Gelacio served three consecutive aces to start the match along with Farley adding another two in the second set. CUI held CSUSM in the second and third once they took the lead early in both sets. The Cougars came out fighting in the fourth as they jumped out with an early 12-3 lead and the Golden Eagles were unable to recover, as CSUSM forced a fifth set.
 
The fifth set was no different from the fourth as the Cougars went on another service run and extended their lead by six points until a kill by Jalyssa Sanchez stopped their momentum. CSU San Marcos closed out the set and match 15-9.
 
Kirra Schulz led the Golden Eagles with 11 kills and 15 digs in this five-set thriller.  Farley and freshman Cassie Prior finished the match with 10 kills apiece.  Sanchez came up big for the Golden Eagles as she had four total blocks with two of them being solo blocks. Plus, setter Michelle Feliciano dished out 22 assists along with junior Devin Sivertson tossing up 17 helpers. Cassidy Gelacio racked up 15 digs and contributed four aces throughout the match.
 
The Golden Eagles will finish the Cougar Classic Saturday in San Marcos, Calif. as they take on MSU Denver at 10 a.m. and Saginaw Valley State at 3 p.m.
 
To see the full CUI women's volleyball schedule, click HERE.