Cobbers Fall In 5-Set, Homecoming Thriller

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/01/21)---Concordia went back-and-forth with St. Catherine on Friday night before finally losing 3-2 (26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 17-25, 9-15).

The Cobbers took the first and third sets to take leads of 1-0 and 2-1, but then watched as the Wildcats claimed the final two sets to with the 5-set thriller.

It is only the third time this season that Concordia has gone to five sets. CC is now 1-2 in matches that go the distance.

Concordia fell behind at the first set with St. Kate's scoring the first four points of the match. The Cobbers would then take their first lead of the match at 8-7. The teams would stay within three points of one another until the very end. CC trailed 23-20, but came back to score the next three points, and six of the final seven to win 26-24.

Concordia (5-10, 0-3 MIAC) had their highest kill total of any set in the opener. The Cobbers had 14 winners, but hit just .062.

The third set was the other high points for CC. They were able to hit .289 which was a team match high.

Like most matches that go to five sets, the team that breaks to an early lead usually wins the set and the match. Friday was no different as the Wildcats bolted to a 6-1 lead and never let the Cobbers within four points for the remainder of the set.

St. Catherine (9-7, 2-0 MIAC) had their top attack set in the fifth. They hit a match-high .346 and had 10 kills to go with only one error.

The Cobbers had a trio of players with double-digit kill totals. Brook Carney had a team-high 14 kills to go along with three blocks. The 14 winners is a season high and is the third time in the last four matches she has put up at least 10 kills.

Senior Kendra Wiggs had 13 kills and five blocks. The five blocks ties a season high.

Freshman Hannah Keil came through 10 winners which is the fifth time this year she has recorded a double-digit kill total.

Anna Brakke missed double-digit kills by one, but led the team in digs. She finished with nine kills and 23 digs.

Kenzie Urbanec put up the third 40-plus assist total oh her freshman season. She collected 43 assists and now has 382 for the year.

UP NEXT: Concordia will step out of conference play for their third-to-last non-conference match when they host Crown on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. The Cobbers beat the Storm 3-0 earlier in the year.