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ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Concordia University volleyball team (24-1, 16-0 NSIC) will look to build on a 24 match winning streak in their final regular season home weekend as Bemidji State (5-19, 1-15 NSIC) and Minnesota Crookston (13-11, 8-8 NSIC) come to town. The Golden Bears hold a two game advantage in the conference standings over Minnesota Duluth and Southwest Minnesota State and have a chance to clinch a share of the NSIC Regular Season Championship with a sweep this weekend.
Concordia picked up a pair of big conference wins over MSU Moorhead and #23 Northern State at home last weekend. The Dragons jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with a 25-23 win in the first before Concordia stormed back with three straight wins to take the match. On Saturday, the Golden Bears made quick work of the Wolves in a three set win to take their 30th straight regular season NSIC match.
The #1 Concordia Golden Bears have the statistics to back their spot at the top of the poll as they rank at or near the top of the country in numerous different categories. The potent Golden Bears offense leads the nation in kills per set at 15.69 and also ranks first in hitting percentage at an efficient .337. The CU setting, which has been a staple of their success throughout their championship run, is once again dominant with 14.85 to lead the country. Concordia also ranks 23rd in blocks per set at 2.33 and 44th in digs per set at 17.40.
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 13.14 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 two other CU hitters in the top 35 in hitting percentage in
Heather Schiller (15th) and
Riley Hanson (34th). Koenecke also ranks 29th in points per set and 31st in kills per set.
Concordia improved to 26-8-1 all-time against Bemidji State with their sweep of the Beavers back on October 4. CU has won 24 in a row against the Beavers. The last BSU win in the series came back on November 3, 2001 in Bemidji. Concordia was 0-6-1 in the first seven matches before picking up their first win over Bemidji State.
On Saturday, the Golden Bears will meet the Golden Eagles for the 27th time and the second time this season. Concordia has won 24 in a row over UMC after dropping the first three matches. Minnesota Crookston's last win over Concordia came back on October 29, 1999. CU has only dropped one set to the Golden Eagles since then, back on October 26, 2002. Back on October 5, CU swept UMC in straight sets.
Concordia wraps up the regulaer season next weekend in St. Cloud and Duluth.
Watch online or follow live stats if you aren't able to make it out this weekend.
