Win Over Crown Checks All The Boxes

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/24/23)---It was the perfect way to end the non-conference schedule: post a sweep, get to play 17 players and extend your winning streak.

The Cobbers checked all the boxes in their 25-17, 25-9, 25-17 sweep over Crown in the final non-conference match of the season. Concordia hit .258 and held the Polars to a .062 attack percentage as they closed out their non-league campaign with a 9-8 record. It's the first winning non-conference record for CC since the 2015 season when they went 8-7 against non-MIAC teams.

It took Concordia 20 points to get into its match with Crown. The Cobbers held an 11-9 lead over the Polars in the opening set but went on a 10-3 run to seize control of the set and the match. CC won 13 of the first 17 points in the middle set and closed the match by claiming 12 of the final 16 points in set No.3.

The Cobbers enjoyed a 43-19 advantage in kills and had a 68-47 edge in digs.

Concordia had nine players record a kill in the match, 15 had at least one dig and five got on the stat sheet with an assist.

MIAC Specialty Player of the Week Kaia Lill led the Cobbers with 26 assists and 11 digs. Hannah Keil put up a team-high 10 kills and hit .320, while Maria Watt finished with seven winners and hit .500.

First-year player Samantha VanHeel had six kills, hit .333 and added four digs. Fellow freshman Lauren Bangs came away with a season-best six kills and hit .500.

Anna Knain got time as the team's setter and responded with a career-high 16 assists. Hanna Mooney led the team with 14 digs.

UP NEXT: Concordia will complete the road portion of its regular-season schedule when they head to Northfield to take on St. Olaf on Friday, Oct. 27, and Carleton on Saturday, Oct. 28.          

CONCORDIA vs. CROWN HIGHLIGHTS: