crookston, minn. - concordia university's volleyball team took a quick 3-0 win over minnesota, crookston on friday evening, defeating the golden eagles 25-19, 25-15, 25-14. emily palkert led the team with 17 kills and a .560 hitting average. With the win, concordia officially clinches the nsic championship outright.

the second set of the match was especially strong for the golden bears, who turned up 19 kills with only three errors.

palkert was one of two golden bears finishing the match in double figures for kills, maria steinhagen had 11 kills to go with her three block assists, matching palkert for blocks. sadie kessler had nine kills and also had three block assists. Concordia nearly doubled up minnesota, crookston for kills, putting down 50 to umc's 26.

mary slinger led the team's defense with 14 kills, the only player to go into double figures on defense. maggie mcnamara had 43 assists and two ace serves.

minnesota, crookston was paced by amber meyer with 12 kills. The defensive effort was led by jaclyn slepicka with 15 digs. The golden eagles were only six digs behind the golden bears, 37-43.

concordia improves to 29-1 on the season and 18-0 in the nsic while minnesota, crookston falls to 5-20 overall and 5-11 in the league. The golden bears face msu moorhead tomorrow afternoon.