Rollman and Axmann lead Doane past Concordia, 3-0

The combination of Susan Rollman and Ashley Axmann proved to be too much, as Doane College picked up a 3-0 GPAC volleyball win over Concordia on Tuesday evening in Seward.  The duo combined for 26 kills and five blocks, as Doane improved to 24-5 overall and 9-4 in conference play.  Concordia slipped to 10-17 overall and 3-9 in the GPAC. 

Scores of the match were 27-25, 25-20 and 25-17.  Concordia kept things close through the early stages of the first set.  The Tigers led by five on two occasions with the last at 20-15.  The Bulldogs rallied, however, and a kill by Amanda Kisker (Lincoln, Neb.) tied the score at 22-22.  There were multiple ties and lead changes down the stretch.  However, a Concordia net violation gave Doane a 27-26 lead, and a kill by Axmann gave the Tigers the first set win. 

The Bulldogs came out strong once again in the second set and led by as many as four at 14-10, forcing an early timeout by Doane.  However, the Tigers rallied, and a pair of kills by Rollman reclaimed the lead for Doane at 18-17.  From there, the Tigers pulled away for the 25-20 win. 

Doane had an easier time in the third set.  Aside from some early service errors, which gave Concordia their first three points of the set, the Tigers jumped out to a quick 13-7 lead.  The Bulldogs pulled within three at 16-13, but the Tigers pulled away and secured the victory. 

The visiting Tigers finished with a .352 team attack percentage in the win.  Rollman had a huge night, finishing with a match-high 15 kills on 20 total attempts.  Axmann added 11 kills on the night, while Emily Max chipped in with nine kills for the Tigers.  Desiree Erikson handed out 41 set assists, and Terra Andreasen finished with a team-best 10 digs. 

Amanda Abbott (Temecula, Calif.) finished with a team-high 10 kills for Concordia, who totaled a .173 team attack percentage in the loss.  Kisker added nine kills and a team-best 10 digs.  Ashlea Vaudt (Kalispell, Mont.) and Marlee Denton (Fremont, Neb.) added seven and six kills, respectively, for the Bulldogs.  Alexa Hopping (Sutherland, Neb.) and Kayla James (Gibbon, Neb.) each handed out 15 set assists on the night. 

Concordia hosts Dakota Wesleyan on Friday evening at the Walz Human Performance Complex.  It will be senior night, as Concordia will honor Alexa Hopping, Marlee Denton, Kaylie Mellema and Ashlea Vaudt for their contributions to the Bulldog Volleyball program.  Matches are scheduled for 6 and 7:30.