First Set Speed Bump
Concordia dropped a close 25-23 decision in the first set at Bethel and then couldn't get any traction in the second and third sets and lost 3-0.
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (10/11/17)---It was another case of not being able to get over the speed bump at the end of the first set for Concordia. The Cobbers gave up a five-point streak late in the opening set at Bethel to lose 25-23 and then stumbled at the start of both the second and third sets and lost 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-13) to the Royals.
In each of Concordia's last four MIAC losses the Cobbers have battled into the final points of the first set before falling by two or three points and then went on to lose 3-0.
Concordia is now 2-5 in conference play and 4-12 overall. Bethel wins for the fifth time in the last seven matches and is 4-3 in the MIAC and 12-4 overall.
The Cobbers gained an early 5-2 lead in the first set before the Royals rallied to tie the set at 6-6. The opening set would then stay within two points until the decisive point of the set, and possible the match, which came with Concordia holding an 18-16 lead. Bethel was able to rattle off five straight points to take a 21-18 lead – a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the remainder of the set. CC was able to pull within one point on four occasions but could never tie the set and lost 25-23.
Concordia then fell behind 7-1 at the start of the second set and 9-1 in the third set, could never get any momentum going and lost both.
The Cobbers hit .116 for the first set but then dropped off to .000 in the second and -.030 in the third. CC finished the match with a .034 attack percentage. Bethel hit .289 for the three sets and held a 49-24 advantage in kills. The Royal defense regularly came up with huge digs off of Cobber attacks to thwart the CC offense. Bethel finished with 58 digs in the three sets as compared to 43 for Concordia.
Haley Cuppett led the Cobbers with seven kills. Brianna Carney added five winners and Emily Friedrich came away with four in 12 attack chances. Carney also had a team best three blocks. Emma Chandler had a team-best .333 attack percentage.
Stephanie Baker had 17 digs to lead all players in the match. Jill Klaphake came away with a team-high 15 assists.
WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will travel to Morris to have a rematch with Minn.-Morris on Friday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. The Cobbers and Cougars played a dramatic five-set match last Friday with Morris prevailing 3-2.