Attacking The MIAC Opener

ST. PAUL, Minn. (9/15/16)—Concordia went on the attack in the MIAC opener to beat Macalester 3-1 (26-24, 15-25, 25-23, 25-21) and win their third straight match.   

The Cobbers had an attack percentage of at least .180 in all three set wins as they improved their overall record to 3-3 on the year. CC started the season at 0-3 but since then has rebounded with three consecutive victories.

Macalester has their one-match win streak come to an end and is now 4-6 on the year.

In addition to their attack percentage, the Cobbers excelled at end-set points. In what could have been the turning point of the entire match, Concordia saved off five straight set points in the very first set to take a 24-19 score all the way to 24-24 and then got a service ace from Stephanie Baker and an attack error from the Scots to win the set 26-24. CC rattled off seven straight points to seize the momentum in the match.

The second set was the lone speed bump for the Cobbers in the conference opener. After hitting .225 in the first set, Concordia only hit .000 in the second and lost by 10. CC struggled early as they fell behind 13-5.

The Cobbers found their attack skills once again in the third set. They hit .180 and won the final two points of the set after Macalester won five of six points to tie the set at 23-23. A kill by Emma Chandler and then a tip winner from Emily Friedrich gave the Cobbers the 2-1 lead.

The fourth set went back and forth until the final six points the teams traded leads and the set was tied on 16 different occasions before Concordia earned five of the final six points to win the match.

Brianna Carney led all players with a career-high 18 kills she has now posted double-digit kill totals in three straight matches. Carney also hit .237 for the match and added a team-high four blocks.  

Mandy Mercil and Haley Cuppett added 10 winners each. Mercil had a team-high .242 attack percentage and also had 12 digs. Like Carney, Cuppett has now recorded at least 10 kills in three straight matches and four of the first six contests of the year.

Jena Klaphake had 35 assists in the win while Baker came away with a team-high 20 digs.          

WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will stay on the road and head east to Wisconsin to play in the Wis.-Eau Claire Nike/Eastbay Fall Classic. The Cobbers will square off against St. Norbert and Lakeland on Friday, Sept. 16 and then face Wis.-Stevens Point and host Eau Claire on Saturday, Sept. 17.