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ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia University volleyball team (26-1, 18-0 NSIC) heads north to take on the St. Cloud State Huskies (13-13, 7-11 NSIC) and the #3 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (26-2, 16-2 NSIC) with a chance to claim the NSIC title outright and claim a perfect record in the conference regular season. Concordia has won 11 straight conference titles (including this year) and comes into the weekend on a 24 game winning streak and 32 game NSIC winning streak.
On Friday night, the Golden Bears take on the Huskies. Concordia has fared well against St. Cloud State, holding an 19-1 advantage in their 20 meetings. St, Cloud State's only win against the Golden Bears came back in their first ever meeting in 1975. Concordia swept the Huskies back on September 28 in St. Paul.
The Golden Bears meet the Bulldogs for the 40th time in the school's history and trail UMD in the series 21-18. Recently, Concordia has had control in the series with a 13-2 in the last 15 matches. Minnesota Duluth was the last team to beat the Golden Bears in conference play. That win came back on September 28, 2012, in Duluth in a four set match. Earlier this season, the Golden Bears knocked off the then-#1 Minnesota Duluth in St. Paul to reclaim the top spot in the rankings.
The potent Golden Bears offense leads the nation in kills per set at 15.83 and also ranks first in hitting percentage at an efficient .340. The CU setting, which has been a staple of their success throughout their championship run, is once again dominant with 14.96 to lead the country. Concordia also ranks 24th in blocks per set at 2.32 and 40th in digs per set at 17.51.
The Golden Bears also boast multiple individuals that rank near the top in Divison II in different statistical categories as well.
Amanda Konetchy leads the nation with 13.32 assists per game. She has led the nation in assists all three years she has been a member of the Golden Bears.
Kayla Koenecke also leads the nation in hitting percentage at .417. She is joined by three other CU hitters in the top 50 in hitting percentage in
Heather Schiller (18th),
Riley Hanson (23rd) and
Erienne Lauersdorf (45th). Koenecke also ranks 29th in points per set and 31st in kills per set.
The conference tournament kicks off next Wednesday night as the Golden Bears host a first round match.
Follow the games live online via the links above.
