MOORHEAD, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (9-8) won the first set of the night but lost the battle, falling in four sets (26-24, 24-26, 21-25, 22-25) to Concordia-Moorhead (10-3). The Cougars were held to just .109 attacking on the night.
 
Only two Cougars finished with more than seven kills in the match. Marissa Ekness had 19 on 70 attempts and Abby Tietz added 13. Ekness was third in the NCAA in attacks per set and fourth in total attacks prior to the match this evening.
 
Morris racked up 104 digs in the set, the most in a four set match this season. Katie Reitsma had 28 to lead the team. Setter Brooke Decker had 26 digs to go along with 36 assists. Ekness added 16 digs to pick up her third double-double on the season.
 
The difference in the match may have been the Cobbers ability to rack up ten blocks something that helped them control the Cougars offense.
 
Concordia led early in the first set but Morris came back to take a 10-7 lead. Late in the set the Cobbers went on a quick spurt to take a 24-21 lead. The set appeared to over but Morris rallied back and scored five straight to win the set 26-24.
 
Much like the first set the Cougars had some breathing room prior the midway point, leading by a score 11-6. However, five straight points by the Cobbers tied the set at 11. It was back and forth for a bit but UMM took a four point lead late going up 23-19. It was then Concordia's turn to rally and that they did, tying the set at 23. Morris had a set point at 24-23 but could not hold on and the Cobbers scored three straight to win the set and tie up the match.
 
The Cobbers jumped on Morris in the third set, going up 9-2 out of the gate. Morris never recovered, not getting any closer than three until a kill by Cori Becker made it 23-21. They could not complete the comeback and fell 25-21.
 
Again the Cobbers led early in the fourth set but UMM never let them get too far ahead. Morris tied the set at 15 but could not take the lead. Concordia responded by going on an 8-2 run which essentially iced the match. Morris got within two at 24-22 but it was a little too late.
 
Morris will be back on the road this weekend as they travel to Superior for a couple matches. They play both Wisconsin-Superior and Wisconsin-River Falls. The match with Wisconsin-Superior will be a UMAC match, the Cougars first road conference match of the season.