Junior Jessica Lucia's 26 kills and 22 digs powered #3 Concordia University (25-4) over #5 Minnesota Duluth (23-4) in four games, 30-25, 30-20, 26-30, 30-19, in a dominant victory between the top two teams in the North Central Region. Lucia had seven consecutive kills in the fourth game to finish off the Bulldogs at the Gangelhoff Center on Tuesday evening in St. Paul, Minn.

Lucia hit .368 in 57 total attacks and added four blocks (two solo) and five assists in arguably her best all-around performance of the season.

Senior Valerie Olson added 15 kills and six digs and was the only other Bear to reach double-digit kills in the match.

Senior setter Cailin Terhaar recorded a double-double with 59 assists and 15 digs while also adding a pair of kills.

The defensive effort consisted of four Bears reaching at least 13 digs, led by Lucia. Junior libero Megan Graham added 17, while junior Ashley Olson had 13 while also smacking eight kills.

Concordia controlled the first two games with a 36-27 edge in kills. The CU defense held UMD to a .077 attack pct. in the second game as the Bears outscored the bulldogs 30-20. UmMDracked up 22 kills in game three to extend the match, but Concordia's .395 team hitting pct. in the fourth game sealed the match.

The win for the Golden Bears, who held the number one ranking in the most recent NCAA North Central Regional poll, solidified their attempt to secure home court for the upcoming NCAA Regional Tournament.

Concordia returns to the floor this week when they play host to the NSIC Volleyball Tournament that is held from Thursday through Saturday at the Gangelhoff Center. Concordia, who earned the top seed after posting a perfect 14-0 NSIC record, will take on the no. 8 seed, Bemidji State.