RV Carthage 3, Colorado College 0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-23)
RV Carthage 3, Concordia Wis. 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-19)
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage women's volleyball team concluded the 2025 Carthage Invite in Tarble Arena on Saturday afternoon with a pair of matchups against the Colorado College Tigers and the Concordia Wis. Falcons. It was another strong outing for the Firebirds, as the team battled for two more victories, sweeping both opponents in straight sets.



VS COLORADO
The Firebirds and Tigers traded points early in the opening set before Carthage caught fire with a 5-0 surge sparked by back-to-back service aces from Tatum Kebisek. Carthage used a 10-3 run midway through the set, highlighted by a block from Emma Crow and Katie Boston, to take control at 18-12. The Firebirds closed the frame with five of the final seven points, including consecutive aces from Cassidy Stahl, to secure a 25-16 victory. The Carthage defense held Colorado College to just four kills on a -.172 hitting percentage.

Carthage faced an early deficit in the second set as Colorado College jumped ahead 7-1. The Firebirds steadily chipped away, using a 6-1 run fueled by service aces from Madilyn Danielson and Jenna Damon to pull even at 14-14. From there, the teams traded points until a 5-1 Carthage run gave the Firebirds a 20-16 edge. Kills from Hailey Wierzgac and Danielson helped hold off a late Tiger push as Carthage claimed the second set, 25-22.

The third set proved to be the tightest of the match, featuring 11 ties. After trailing 13-12, Carthage grabbed momentum behind a pair of blocks from Boston and Ava Dettwiler during a 6-2 run. Colorado College pulled back within one at 23-22, but a Kebisek service ace followed by a Boston kill sealed the 25-23 set win and completed the sweep.

VS CONCORDIA WIS.
The Firebirds had to rally in the opening set after falling behind 8-1, but a service run from Ava Dettwiler that included two aces helped Carthage flip the momentum. The Firebirds surged ahead on a 17-2 run, capped by a kill from Madilyn Danielson and a block by Emma Crow and Hailey Wierzgac. Carthage closed out the frame 25-15 with 11 kills, three aces, and six blocks.

The second set proved to be the tightest of the match, featuring nine ties and multiple lead changes. Concordia held a late advantage at 19-17, but Carthage responded with back-to-back kills from Danielson and Kristina Manojlovic. A service ace from Danielson and a kill by Manojlovic sealed a 25-22 Firebird win and a commanding 2-0 match lead.

Carthage controlled much of the third set, using a mid-frame run highlighted by two service aces from Tatum Kebisek to build separation. Manojlovic and Danielson combined for key kills down the stretch, and the Firebirds finished the sweep on a block by Crow and Katie Boston for the 25-19 victory.


 

• Madilyn Danielson: 19 kills, 4 service aces, 15 digs
• Kristina Manojlovic: 19 kills, 2 service aces
• Ava Dettwiler: 10 kills, 35 assists, 4 service aces, 12 digs
• Tatum Kebisek: 28 assists, 6 service aces
• Katie Boston: 9 kills, 12 blocks
• Jenna Damon: 45 digs, 2 service aces

The Firebirds (8-1) return to action on Friday, Sept. 19 as the squad opens conference play against Augustana (Ill.) in Tarble Arena at 7 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.