Sept. 15, 2009

Box Score

The Peacock volleyball team played host to the number one team in the nation on Tuesday night in Dorman Gym. The Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul entered the match with an NCAA record 48 straight wins including two National Championships and a perfect 20-0 NSIC season in 2008. The match was the conference opener for both teams.

Concordia-St. Paul (12-0, 1-0 NSIC) and Upper Iowa (9-6, 0-1 NSIC) played close through the first half of each set, but the talented Golden Bears found their stride after the midway point to pull away from the home team in each set. CU won the match in straight sets, 25-16, 25-17, and 25-13.

For the match, the Golden Bears racked up 45 kills with .358 hitting percentage, while holding the Peacocks to just 25 kills and a .136 hitting percentage. Concordia also doubled Upper Iowa in team blocks, 6 to 3 and in service aces, 4 to 2.

Leading the way for the visitors was Megan Carlson, who tallied 14 kills while hitting .417. Maggie McNamara paced the offense with 37 assists, while Mary Slinger and Carlson anchored the defense with 12 and 11 digs, respectively. Sadie Kessler and Emily Palkert also added double-figure kills with 11 and 10, respectively.

Upper Iowa was led by sophomore Sara Vance. The left side hitter registered 9 kills. Nicky Brown and Kayla Wagner each put down 5 kills. Setting up the UIU attackers was Keri Vance who picked up 23 assists. Sara Vance and Shea Meyermann dug 7 balls each, while Brown chipped in 6 digs. Maryn Fulton tallied three blocks at the net.

The two teams will match up again on Friday in St. Paul, Minnesota. The match is set for a 7 p.m. start. On Saturday, Upper Iowa will move over to St. Cloud, Minnesota for a match up with the Huskies of St. Cloud State University at 4 p.m.