RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS- UC Santa Cruz (7-0) dominated on the fourth day of their Midwest trip. During an exciting first match of Sunday's doubleheader, the Banana Slugs were victorious against the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Raiders, winning 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 25-16, 19-17). In their second match, UC Santa Cruz swept hosts Concordia University-Chicago 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-20).

The Slugs and the Raiders (8-6) both played to win throughout the entire match, trading points each set. In the first set alone, neither team led my more than 3 points. After tying the set 19-19, the Slugs finished strong on a 6-3 run, complete with a kill by Rowdy Lennon to win. 

Although UC Santa Cruz opened up the second set on a 4-0 run, leading the entire game, MSOE did not back down. The Raiders fought to come back, tying the set 19-19. Their momentum continued to push them to win 23-25 over the Slugs in the second set, and 25-19 in the third set. The Slugs, however, would not surrender. 

UC Santa Cruz stayed ahead during the fourth set, finishing on a 6-3 run over MSOE. Sam Wittert, Lennon, and Tennessee Fulks led the way, allowing the Slugs to win the fourth, and head into the fifth set with high energy both on and off the court. 

The fifth set had no shortage of excitement, with 9 ties throughout the 25-minute set. The Raiders tied the Slugs each opportunity they had after Lennon's and Hurdle's block which tied the game 12-12. MSOE took their next lead at 16-15, driving the Slugs to push past their fatigue to come back and win the match. Wittert assisted Fulks on the kill to tie the game again 16-16. After an attack error by Santa Cruz, and being down 16-17, the Slugs won the next three points to take the match. Ethan Makishima added a kill to bring the Slugs to victory. 

Lennon had 16 kills and Fulks added 13. Maxwell Mednick had a career-high 23 digs in the hard-earned victory. Mohan Duvvuri had 29 assists and Wittert had 19.

UC Santa Cruz beat Concordia University Chicago 3-0 to take both wins today and extend the Slugs' win streak to seven. Although the Cougars played close until the finish, the Slugs were dominant. Motivated by their first win of the day, the Slugs easily surpassed CUC at the end of each set. Cinjun Coe led the way with 14 kills. Ian Pizzuti also added 9 kills and Zachary Thompson added 8.  Overall UCSC outhit the Cougars .325 to .193.

The UC Santa Cruz Slugs will nexr play this Wednesday, March 31 at North Park in Chicago, and this Thursday at Benedictine.