DENVER, Colo. - The fifth-ranked Concordia-St. Paul volleyball team (5-3) dropped a five-set match to host #3 MSU Denver (7-1) in the third-place match of the Colorado Premier Challenge on Saturday evening.  

After the Roadrunners claimed a 25-19 victory in set one, CSP responded with a 26-24 win in set two and a 25-22 win in set three. MSU Denver regained control from that point, winning set four 25-16 and claiming a 15-11 win in the fifth set.

With the teams tied at 18 each late in the first set, the Roadrunners claimed seven of the next eight points for the 25-19 win.

Set two came down to the wire once again with the teams knotted up at 23-23. Kills by Sophia Andersen and Mehlayna Straub and a Roadrunner attack error allowed CSP to even the match with a 26-24 win.

It was more of the same in the third set, with the two teams playing to a 22-22 tie. CSP finished the set strong, winning three of the next four points for a 25-22 win to go up 2-0 in the match.

The Roadrunners controlled most of the fourth set, cruising to a 25-16 win to force a fifth set. Breaking a 5-5 tie early in the fifth, MSU Denver never relinquished control as they held on for a 15-11 win to take the match 3-2.

Ellie Sieling notched her third double-double of the season with a 16-kill, 13-dig performance. Straub had an efficient outing, registering 12 kills on .450 hitting and adding five block assists. Claudia Stahlke added five block assists and four kills.

Named to the All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the tournament, setter Teagan Starkey finished with 49 set assists and five digs. Libero Cassie Sieling chipped in 11 digs and five set assists for the Bears.

The Golden Bears will open NSIC play on Saturday, September 21, travelling north to take on #14 Minnesota Duluth at 2 pm.