Youngsters Bend But Don't Break

ST. PAUL, Minn. (9/22/12)— Concordia's youthful inexperience refused to be broken against St. Kate's in St. Paul on Saturday. The Cobbers led 2-1 but then let the Wildcats rally to tie the match before coming away with a 15-10 win the fifth and decisive set.

The Cobbers started sluggishly, losing 25-21 in the opening set but then came back to win 25-16 in the second and then 25-18 in the third. CC gave up an 8-2 run midway through the fourth and lost 25-18. Concordia then regrouped and won six of the first seven points in the fifth to snatch the victory away from the upset-minded Wildcats.

After dropping five straight matches, Concordia has responded by winning three straight – all in conference play. The Cobbers are now 5-6 overall but more importantly 3-0 in the MIAC. St. Kate's has now lost three straight and is 7-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

Concordia had three players with double-digit kill totals. Freshman Olivia Wangensteen had a team-high 16 kills and has now posted 36 winners in the last two matches. She was also one of five CC players with at least 10 digs in the match. She finished with 15 digs to record her third double-double of the year.

Kynndyl Ross added 13 kills and Kayla Hampton chipped in 11. Hampton had kills in two of the final four points for CC and also came away with four blocks. Rachel Wiinanen had a team-high 27 digs on the day. It is the second time this season she has had at least 25 digs in a match. CC had a pair of players with over 20 assists. Senior Danelle Loomis had a match-high 27 helpers and Shelby Bommersbach had 22.

Concordia will return home for a pair of matches next week.  The Cobbers will host St. Olaf on Wednesday, Sept. 26 and then square off against St. Mary's on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.