ST. PAUL, Minn. – After a dominating first set, the fourth-ranked Concordia University volleyball team held off late comebacks by Bemidji State in the final two sets for a 3-0 win; set scores were 25-9, 25-21 and 29-27. The Golden Bears squeaked out their 12th consecutive win at home this year, all of which in straight sets, improving to 18-3 overall and 12-2 in the NSIC.
Concordia controlled the opening set from the start. With the score tied 1-1, the Golden Bears scored eight consecutive points to lead 9-1. The closest Bemidji State would get from that point was a 14-6 deficit and the Bears cruised to a 25-9 decision. CU out-attacked the Beavers by a percentage of .789-to-.000 with a 15-to-6 kill advantage and committed no errors.
Bemidji State found a rhythm in the second set and held close with the Golden Bears throughout the first 30 points. There were eight scoring ties and five lead changes that led to a 15-15 score. CU then went on a 6-to-3 run before the Beavers came back with a 4-to-2 run at 23-21, but the Golden Bears recorded the final two points for a 25-21 win.
In the third set, Bemidji State threatened to end Concordia's string of 35 consecutive sets won at home with 15 scoring ties and nine lead changes. The largest scoring margin for both teams was two points throughout the entire set. The Beavers held set point at 24-23, but a service error knotted the score at 24-24. Bemidji State held set point twice more until a kill by
Kayla Koenecke (Delano, Minn.) tied the score at 27-27 followed by two BSU attack errors for a 29-27 final.
Cassie Haag (Plymouth, Minn.) let the Bears with 10 kills on 19 attempts (three errors) for a .368 attack percentage.
Emily McDonough (Stillwater, Minn.) had the best attack rate at .667, going 5-for-6 with one error. Defensively, 36 digs were spread out evenly as
Ellie Duffy (Fridley, Minn.) led the way with seven.
Amanda Konetchy (Victoria, Minn.) posted 41 assists, averaging 13.67 per set.
Concordia will hit the road next weekend for a match at No. 18 Wayne State on October 26. The conference match-up will begin at 7:00 p.m.
