Sept. 28, 2012 - In the first of a three-match weekend for the Concordia Cougar volleyball team, they ran up against a Maranatha Baptist Bible College team that sported a 9-0 record by way of winning 27 consecutive sets. Although the Cougars gave a game effort, the Crusaders were able to hold off all challenges and defeat the hosts by scores of 25-23, 25-19 and 25-20.

Concordia came out energized and put the visitors back on their heels in the early going. Kills by Bianca Gordon (Milwaukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran), Claire Mackey (Shelton, NE/Heartland Lutheran) and Sarah Brendel (Hazelwood, MO/Hazelwood West) helped the Cougars to an early 6-2 lead. Concordia also held a four-point lead at 14-10, but Maranatha took advantage of some Cougar hitting errors to forge a tie at 17-17. The set was later tied at 21-21, but conference kill leader Torey DeLozier provided kill shots for two of the Crusaders' final four points to hold off what would be Concordia's best challenge of the night.

In set two, Maranatha heated up the attack with 14 kills and a .329 attack. Tied 9-9, the Crusaders ran off four points with DeLozier and Erin Steuerwald recording key kills. The Cougars would be unable to mount a comeback, hitting just .129 (10 kills) for the set.

The Cougars hung closer with the Crusaders in set three. Three straight points by MBBC broke a 13-13 tie, and Maranatha never trailed again. Concordia again fell victim to its own errors - hitting, serving and ball-handling - that would prevent them from making a strong charge.

DeLozier led Maranatha with 19 kills (.317) and 10 digs. Gordon and Mackey each recorded nine kills for the Cougars with Gordon also adding five block assists. Jenna Boggs (South Beloit, IL/Hononegah) handed out 26 assists.

Concordia (4-9, 2-3 NAC) will host a tri-match on Saturday with matches against Edgewood College at 10 a.m. and Augustana College at 2 p.m.