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MITCHELL, S.D. - The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball appeared to be on the verge of a crucial Great Plains Athletic Conference victory numerous times Friday night, but a resilient Concordia University squad fought back each and every time to steal a 3-2 win.
The Tigers (13-16, 3-8) seized the first two games, 32-30 and 25-22, before falling 25-22, 25-21 and 16-14 as the Bulldogs (6-18, 3-8) stormed back from the brink of elimination to stun Dakota Wesleyan on its home court in the Christen Family Wellness Center.
After the Tigers won a marathon game to open the match, they seized control with an impressive performance in game two. In the third game, Concordia opened up a 20-14 lead, but DWU roared back to tie the score at 20-20. However, the Bulldogs were able to regroup and stay alive with a 25-22 victory.
The match appeared to be over in the fourth game. Dakota Wesleyan took a 6-1 lead right out of the gates and led for most of the game, but the Bulldogs won five points in a row to rally from a 19-17 deficit to a 22-19 lead, and they took care of business from there to force a fifth and final game.
The deciding game featured the same momentum swings that were the signature of Friday's match. DWU charged out to an 8-3 lead, and a Concordia serving error put the Tigers on the doorstep of victory with a 14-10 lead. However, the Bulldogs somehow rallied to win the final six points of the match and pull off the improbable comeback.
Jen Miner led DWU with 17 kills and Maria Wieneke added 11 kills in the loss. Dena Kopfmann had 30 digs and Morgan Carlson finished with 32 assists and 24 digs. Julie Givan and Allison Hajek had 10 digs apiece and Jayna Morrill had a solo block and six block assists.
Chelsea Vaudt led Concordia with 16 kills, while Kelsey Affolter added 13 and Lauryn Nyhoff finished with 11. Kaylie Mellema finished with 43 assists, Nicki Axelson had 30 digs, Nyhoff had 21 digs and Heidi Zoucha finished with 20 digs. Dani Hoagland had five block assists.
*Story courtesy Matt Higgns - Dakota Wesleyan*