MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Volleyball team hosted the Cobbers of Concordia College before beginning the second half of UMAC volleyball play. The Cougars came away from the day with a win in three sets (25-20, 25-16, 27-25). 

The Cobbers drew first blood on the day, kicking off the scoring with a kill that ended a  thrilling rally. Minnesota Morris responded with a six point run, which featured kills from Mary Cate Ziembiec and Laura Wellbrock in addition to a block from Lacie O'Leary and Madeline Monaco, to jump out to an early 6-1 lead. Scoring went back and forth for the next several points, while Concordia battled to close the scoring gap. With the Cougars up one at 17-16, Tori Scheler threw down a kill that kicked off a four point scoring run for the home team. Madeline Monaco served up two aces for the 23rd and 24th points which, followed by a kill from Scheler assisted by Sydney Petersen, secured Minnesota Morris' 25-20 victory in the first set.

Cougar Volleyball kicked off the scoring in set two with a service error from Concordia and two kills from O'Leary. Minnesota Morris continued to expand their lead thanks to kills from Wellbrock and attack errors by the Cobbers. Down 4-11, Concordia took four points off the Cougars to close the scoring gap. With both teams matching the other for scoring, Minnesota Morris finished off the set with five dominant points at 20-15. Scheler and Wellbrock went up for a block that resulted in the 21st point. Ziembiec and Anna Molstad took the 22nd and 23rd points respectively with set assists from Ava Brunn. Concordia scored a final point before Ziembiec scored point 24 off an assist from Clara Holden. Ziembiec and Madeline Monaco dominated at the net with a block that finalized the Cougar's 25-16 win in set two. 

Minnesota Morris took a 10-5 lead to kick off the third set thanks to a run that included kills from Scheler and Ziembiec as well as a block from Molstad and Scheler. Concordia found an 18-15 lead late in the set, putting pressure on the Cougar defense with a series of kills. Down 18-23, Minnesota Morris took up a five point scoring rally to tie up the game. Petersen, assisted by Wellbrock, led the charge with a kill which was followed by an error from Concordia. O'Leary threw down a kill off an assist from Petersen and went in on a block with Madeline Monaco. The Cougar's solid play kept the score tied up at 25-25. Minnesota Morris took the last two points of the set, with O'Leary and Molstad laying down kills to secure the 27-25 victory.

Madeline Monaco led the Cougars in both aces and blocks on the day, totaling up three and five respectively. Wellbrock popped up fourteen digs, and ten kills. Ziembiec threw down eleven kills and totaled thirteen digs. Petersen led the Cougars in set assists with seventeen. 

Minnesota Morris will kick off the second half of conference play with a home game against Crown College Oct. 22 at 6 pm.