Spikers upended in non-conference road duel

By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant

MADISON, S.D. - The Bulldog volleyball team finished their two-match weekend road trip with a straight-set loss to Dakota State University in Madison, S.D., falling to 3-9 overall on the season.

The team fell just short in the first two games, losing 26-24, 25-23 before closing out with a 25-16 defeat. Concordia lost five-consecutive sets by two points going back to Friday’s loss at Northwestern before the Trojans won decisively in game No. 3 on Saturday.

Head coach Scott Mattera was not pleased with the final result, and stressed the importance of consistently playing with focus and discipline.

“Everything we do is based on focus and trust and we did not display those characteristics today,” Mattera said. “We'll get back in the gym on Monday and get after it. Getting to the top wouldn’t feel so good if the journey wasn't difficult.”

Performing well for Concordia was sophomore Mariah Schamp with eight kills. Senior Amanda Kisker chipped in with eight kills of her own. Defensively, sophomore Carli Smith contributed with 13 digs, while Kisker added eight more of her own.

The Bulldogs will travel to Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 18 to take on Nebraska Wesleyan in their next road test before returning to Seward on Sept. 22 to play Dakota Wesleyan.