The top two teams in the North Central Region hit the court on Tuesday night in Duluth, Minn., and the Golden Bears prevailed against the Bulldogs in five games, 23-30, 30-23, 30-24, 27-30, 15-11. Not only was the top ranking in the region on the line, but no. 4 Concordia (18-1, 7-0 NSIC) was riding an eleven-match winning streak while no. 6 Minnesota Duluth (15-2, 4-0 NCC) had not lost since their first match of the season - a streak covering 15 matches.

Concordia was three points away from a four-game win, as they led 27-26 in the fourth game. However, UMD rallied to score the final four points in the game to force the deciding fifth game. While the Bears were able to extend their winning streak to 12 matches, their streak of consecutive games won came to a close at 34 after dropping the first game 23-30. The streak spanned 11 matches in which the Bears swept their opponent, and they had not lost a game since Dec. 4 in their 3-1 win over no. 4 North Alabama.

Senior Joy Wubben led Concordia's attack, recording a double-double with a career-high 25 kills and ten total blocks to go with a .343 hitting percentage. Senior Tia Lindberg was drilling lasers all over the court, as she needed just 29 total attacks to pile up 19 kills while hitting a team-high .483. Sophomore Megan Graham led the team in digs with a season-high 24 digs, while junior setter Cailin Terhaar's 70 set assists were also good for a season high. Coincidentally, Wubben, Graham and Terhaar's previous season highs all came against no. 11 North Florida. In that game, Wubben had 24 kills, Graham had 23 digs, and Terhaar had 54 set assists.

For the bulldogs, senior Callie Zwettler was all over the court, as she notched a double-double with game-highs 31 kills in 67 attacks to go with 12 digs. Vicky Braegelmann pitched in 21 kills, but no other Bulldog had double-digit kills despite CSP having four players record at least ten. Libero Allison Boddy was on the receiving end of the high-powered CSP attack all night as she piled up 34 digs, but UMD had just three players reach double-digits to Concordia's four.

The Bears take their 12-match win streak to the court this Friday when they play host to Minnesota State, Mankato. Saturday is Homecoming for Concordia University and the girls will battle the Warriors of Winona State. Friday's match is a 7:00 p.m. start while Saturday's action gets underway at 5:00 p.m. - just enough time to make the walk from Griffin stadium to the Gangelhoff center.