MOORHEAD, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team fell by a score of 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 23-25) in its penultimate non-conference match of the regular season on Tuesday night to Concordia College (MN). The Cougars head back into UMAC play this weekend with an overall record of 11-11.

The match started nicely for Minnesota Morris as the Cougars totaled 11 kills in the first set and scored the final seven points of the set to turn a 20-18 deficit into a 25-20 set victory. Two kills from Lydia Nash took the score from 20-20 to 22-20, which was followed by an ace from Laura Wellbrock and another kill for Nash. A Cobber attack error ended it, one of eight in the set for the home side.

Concordia turned things around in the second set. After Minnesota Morris jumped out a 6-2 edge early on, the Cobbers came back and the set swung back and forth between the two teams. With the score knotted at 19-19, this time it was Concordia who closed the set on a roll, scoring six of the final seven to take a 25-20 win and even the match at a set apiece.

The third set followed a similar script. Concordia led much of the way, but it was still a tight battle up until the very end. However, with the Cobbers out in front, 21-20, they registered the final four points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Following a 7-1 start to the fourth set for Minnesota Morris, Concordia came back with seven straight to go out in front, 8-7. A kill from Jenna Howden tied the score at 19-19, but that was followed by two straight points for the Cobbers and the Cougars were forced to play catch-up from there. Three times the Cougars pulled within a point of Concordia down the stretch, but they couldn't pull level and the Cobbers were able to finish it off in four sets.

Nash led all players in the match with 15 kills and she added 18 digs. Howden notched 12 kills and tacked on seven digs. McKenzie Newton also recorded a double-double as she had 39 assists and 19 digs. Alyssa Ukestad added 14 digs for the Cougars

Minnesota Morris hosts two UMAC matches and one final non-conference match this weekend at Jim Gremmels Court. First up is a Friday night clash with Bethany Lutheran College at 7 p.m which will serve as Senior Night for the Cougars.