Early-Set Deficits Cost Cobbers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (10/02/19)---Concordia won seven of the final eight points in the first set Hamline to win 25-23 but then gave up an 8-0 run in the second set, led for only a single point in the final three sets and lost 3-1 (23-25, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20) to the Pipers.   

The Cobbers outhit the Pipers in the first set but then Hamline didn't hit below .200 in the final three bouts to earn the win.

Concordia (4-12, 1-2 MIAC) fell behind in all four sets but was able to recover in the opener. CC turned a 5-2 deficit into an 11-10 lead and then recovered from the 22-18 margin at the end of the set to win 25-23.

The Cobbers hit .163 in the first set as opposed to .137 for the Pipers.

Hamline (11-5, 2-1 MIAC) finished off the match by hitting .244 in the second set, .209 in the third and then .333 in the decisive set.

Concordia finished the match with a .144 attack percentage and had 40 kills and 77 digs. The Pipers ended the night with a .225 hitting mark while recording 62 winners and 86 digs.

The Cobbers' front-line defense continued to shine. CC entered the match ranked first in the MIAC in total blocks and blocks per set. Concordia added to that total by posting nine total blocks as a team. They have had at least nine blocks in seven of their last eight matches.

Sophomore Kendra Wiggs recorded a match-high six blocks. She now has 68 for the season which is third in the MIAC. Brianna Carney, who is second in the MIAC in blocks, had three.

Carney also led the Cobber offense with nine kills and hit .368. Jill Klaphake had a team-best 18 assists and Anna Brakke came away with 22 digs. She has now recorded at least 20 digs in her last two matches.

UP NEXT: Concordia will return to Moorhead for a 2-match home stand. The Cobbers will host Macalester on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. and then face Minn.-Morris in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.