The seven-time reigning National Champion Golden Bears of Concordia University, St. Paul swept the Peacocks on White Out Night in Dorman Gymnasium.  Upper Iowa matched their guests in the first set, but Concordia was able to edge out UIU in the first frame and then push past their hosts in sets two and three.  With the loss, UIU falls to 7-5 overall and 2-2 in the NSIC, while the #3 Golden Bears improved to 10-2 on the season and 3-1 in the conference.

In the first set, the visitors jumped out to an early 8-3 lead, but Upper Iowa fired back to tie the match at 11-11 thanks to kills by four different Peacocks.  Upper Iowa took leads at 15-14 and 16-15, but the Golden Bears scored six of the next seven points to move out to a 21-17 lead.  UIU was able to pull within two, 21-19 and 23-21, but Concordia finished the set off with two points to win 25-21.

Concordia took big leads in set two and three.  The Golden Bears led 19-12 in the second frame, but Upper Iowa was able to pull within five, 22-17, thanks three kills by Hailey Brown.  In the third set, Concordia raced out to a 21-10 lead and finished off the match with a 25-16 win.

"We played well at times tonight" said Head Coach Aaron Nelson following the match.  "We slowed their offense down with our block and defense and forced them into a few more errors than they would have liked, but we just didn't take care of our side well enough to take advantage of the opportunities they gave us.  If we can shore up some of the little details, then we will keep getting better."

Brown played very well for the home team; the senior recorded 9 kills with a .474 hitting percentage.  Brown added 10 digs and 8 assists.  The Peacocks passing struggled on the night forcing the setters into tough plays.  UIU hit .122 with just 25 kills and 23 assists in the three sets. 

Concordia hit .228 with 45 kills led by Anna Schlaak's 14 kills and Kasey Williams' 37 assists. 

Upper Iowa will head to Aberdeen, South Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota this weekend for their first NSIC road weekend of the season.  The Peacocks will face the #25 Wolves of Northern State University on Friday and the Dragons of Minnesota State University Moorhead on Saturday.