ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Concordia University volleyball team opened up their 2013 season with a 3-0 sweep over Colorado School of Mines in the third game of the Holiday Inn Classic at the Gangelhoff Center.  Concordia won by scores of 25-12, 25-18 and 27-25.

CU Volleyball vs Colorado School of Mines 9.6.2013 - Images by Justin Oakman

CU never trailed in the first set and used an 8-2 run to finish out the 25-12 decision.

In the second set the Golden Bears jumped out to a 19-11 lead before the Orediggers scored five of the next six points and cut it to 20-16.  Concordia answered back and closed out the set 25-18.

School of Mines took control in the third set and held a 20-12 lead before CU battled to cut the lead to 24-19.  Concordia rallied to score five straight points on match point.  The Orediggers scored the next point to bring it back to match point, but Concordia responded with the next three points to take the set 27-25.

The balanced Concordia attack was led by Kayla Koenecke (Delano, Minn. ) and Riley Hanson (Nevis, Minn.) with 12 kills, and Emily McDonough (Stillwater, Minn. ) added 11 of her own.  Hanson had no errors in her 17 attacks and hit an impressive .706 in her Golden Bear debut.  Concordia hit .433 overall as a team.

Kasey Williams (Cross Plains, Wis.) had 47 assists in her first collegiate start and also added six digs.

The Golden Bears are back in action tonight against Hillsdale College at 7:30 p.m.