7-Out-Of-9 Is Just Fine In Home-Opening Sweep

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/24/14)—Mandy Mercil had only one kill against Hamline but it was the biggest of the night. Her winner in the third set clinched a 25-19, 25-16, 26-24 win for the Cobbers after the Pipers threatened to get back in the match.

Mercil's lone kill set off a joyous celebration for the players on the court for Concordia as they won their home opener and finally put together a complete match.

"Our outsides, middles and right sides all came through tonight," commented head coach Tim Mosser.

Mosser also credited the team's ability to pass the ball extremely well.  "When we pass well our offense has all our options and we're tough to beat."   

The match was won by the Cobbers from the strength of five different 7-2 runs during the course of the three sets.

Concordia set the tone for the match by putting together a pair of 7-out-of-9 point runs at the start of the opening set and the end of the first set. In between the Cobbers allowed the Pipers to tie the set at 12-12 and then pull within one point at 18-17. 

Media Recaps

Fargo Forum Recap: Cobbers power past Pipers in volleyball


KVRR-TV Recap: Cobbers sweep Hamline


KVLY-TV Recap: Cobbers sweep Hamline

The second set was close in the beginning as the Pipers tried to gain some momentum at the start. The Cobbers were able to counter with another 7-2 run in the middle of the set to take a 14-9 lead and then finished off set 2 with a fourth 7-2 at the end.

The 7-out-of-9 theme would finish off the match after it looked like Hamline would take the third set and force a fourth. The Pipers trailed early but then grabbed a 17-11 lead thanks to a 9-3 stretch after the set was tied at 8-8.

Concordia was able to inch their way to within four points at 22-18 before they posted their fifth 7-2 run of the match and come away with a 26-24 win. The Cobbers were able to save set point at 24-23 and then won the final three points which was capped by Mercil's hammer shot from the right side.

Cobber junior right side hitter Anna Skow-Anderson understood the urgency of having to win the match in the third set.  Skow-Anderson said, "It was really important for us to win that game in three."

The Cobbers only had three receive errors all match and had 83 digs and 45 assists. That was in comparison to seven receive errors for Hamline with only 70 digs and 27 assists. The 83 digs is the most for the Cobbers this year in a three-set match.

Skow-Anderson had a match-high 10 kills and hit .217 for the match. She has now posted double-digit kill totals in four of the last seven matches and surpassed the 100-kill plateau for the season. She is currently second on the team in winners.

Skow-Anderson was one of five CC players to have at least six kills in the game as Concordia used a balanced attack to claim the sweep. Kelly Reed finished with nine winners. She also posted a match-high .474 hitting percentage. Freshman Vanessa Johnson had eight kills while fellow first-year player Korbyn Ross had seven and her sister Kynndyl Ross finished with six kills.     

Senior Alyssa Schmidt led the defense form her libero spot. She tracked down kill attempt after kill attempt and finished with a season-high 29 digs.

Both of the Cobbers' setters found success all night long. Jena Klaphake had 20 assists and Mercil added 17 to go along with her game-clinching kill.

Skow-Anderson also added that playing at home for the first time was another factor. "The atmosphere in this gym was insane with all the fans," said Skow-Anderson. "Our bench was fabulous, the fans were great and I really think that played into our winning."

Concordia will take to the road once again for their third conference match. Concordia will play at Bethel on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.


Anna Skow-Anderson Postmatch Interview