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ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia Golden Bears volleyball team (22-1, 14-0 NSIC) returns to Gangelhoff Center to play host to the MSU Moorhead Dragons (14-8, 7-7 NSIC) and the #23 Northern State Wolves (18-3, 11-3 NSIC) for the second to last home conference weekend. Friday's match with the Dragons is Parent Night and is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. The seniors will be honored on Saturday for Senior Day with #23 Northern State coming to town. That match starts at 4:00 p.m. Concordia currently holds a two game lead over Minnesota Duluth and Southwest Minnesota for first place in the NSIC and a three game lead over the Wolves of Northern State.
Concordia increased their lead in the NSIC to two games after their sixth consecutive sweep of a week in conference play. The Golden Bears haven't lost since September 7th (20 matches) and haven't lost in their last 28 NSIC regular season games. CU began their week with a 25-15, 17, 17 sweep of Minnesota State in Mankato and held the Mavericks to just .080 hitting as a team. They followed it up with a hard fought four set win against Minot State on Friday and a quick sweep of the Mary Marauders on Saturday.
Kayla Koenecke continues to lead the NSIC in hitting percentage at .423 and ranks sixth in the league with 3.75 kills per game (289 total). Amanda Konetchy lead the nation with 13.14 assists per game (775 total).
Friday's match with the Dragons is the 31st meeting in the schools' history. CU is 22-8 overall against MSUM and 22-1 in the last 23 meetings. Concordia has won seven straight dating back to November 9, 2007 when MSU Moorhead knocked off the Golden Bears in four sets. Last season, CU won in straight sets in St. Paul and were led by Cassie Haag and Ellie Duffy's 13 kills each.
Kaitlin Van Winkle leads the Dragons with 241 kills (2.90 per game) and 100 blocks (1.20 per game). Sam Sullivan (6.10 assists per game) and Casie Baer (5.15 assists per game) share the setting duties for MSUM.
On Saturday, CU takes on NSU in their 32nd matchup all-time. Concordia leads the series 24-7 and has won all 22 meetings since a four set Wolves win on November 8, 2002 in Aberdeen. CU faced NSU twice last season in St. Paul, sweeping the Wolves both matches. The last meeting came in the NSIC Conference Tournament as the Golden Bears ended Northern State's season. Kayla Koenecke just missed a double-double with nine kills and 13 digs and Kelsey Chambers had a team leading 11 kills for the Wolves.
Kelsey Chambers has had a breakout season for NSU with 316 kills on the year. Her 4.45 kills per game ranks second in the NSIC behind NSIC Player of the Year Kate Lange of UMD. Setter Drew Smith registers in at fifth in the NSIC with 11.85 assists per game (841 total) for Northern State.
Watch live from your computer or follow the live stats if you are unable to make it out to the matches.
