October 7, 2023

(RV) TIGERS FALL IN STRAIGHT SETS TO NO. 1 BULLDOGS WHO REMAIN UNDEFEATED

(RV) Dakota Wesleyan

15-11, 5-5

No. 1 Concordia

17-0, 10-0

Final

(RV) Dakota Wesleyan 15-11, 5-5

No. 1 Concordia 17-0, 10-0

Seward, Neb. – Dakota Wesleyan volleyball fell to undefeated and number one team in the country, Concordia University in straight sets. The Tigers fought hard with the Bulldogs at the net recording just as many blocks and touches as CNC did, but ultimately couldn't keep up with fast high powered Concordia offense. DWU recorded 22 kills in the match with a .078 attack percentage compared to the Bulldogs 56 kills and .320 percentage. Dakota Wesleyan played a relatively clean game in the errors department, making the Bulldogs earn their points. Ady Dwight and Elizabeth Tyler led the way with six kills each, Kayleigh Hybertson recorded 19 assists and two aces, while Tya Weideman had 18 digs. Dwight also had a team game-high five total blocks in the contest.

The Quick Details vs. Concordia

Score:

(RV) DWU 0 – No. 1 CNC 3 (9-25, 20-25, 15-25)

Records:

(RV) DWU 15-11 (5-5 GPAC)

No. 1 CNC 17-0 (10-0 GPAC)

Recap

The Tigers dropped set one 25-9 to the number one ranked team in the country. DWU was held to just three kills in the set, getting them from Ady Dwight, Emily Dale, and Hailey Bleeker. The Bulldogs, however, racked up 22 kills in the set and swung an extremely high .537 attack percentage during the set. DWU had bright moments throughout the set but couldn't keep up with the Bulldogs attack. The CNC back row did a really good job of handling the DWU attack in the first set with only recording two blocks on the Tiger attacks, meaning the back row really dialed it upholding the Tiger attack to just three kills.

DWU fought back in set two, but ultimately couldn't keep up with the quick Bulldog offense. The Tigers recorded eight kills in the set and when they had their offense going the way they usually do they were right there with CNC. The Tigers had a hard time staying in sync with the dig, set, and attack all being a smooth sequence, and this was a result from that quick high powered Concordia offense that had 20 kills in the set. Tya Weideman had a strong set in the back row getting up a handful of tough attacks while Dwight and company did a good job of getting the block going against the CNC attack, but it wasn't enough for the well-oiled machine that is the number one ranked Bulldog attack.

Facing a 2-0 deficit the Tigers knew they couldn't get behind early and had to come out strong. The Tigers faced a 5-1 hole, but then responded with a big 7-2 run to grab their first lead of the match at 8-7. During the run DWU was playing their brand of tough, scrappy, and clean volleyball. The Tigers were right there point for point with the Bulldogs and showing they belong on the court with the number one team in the country. Concordia gained back control with six straight points to claim a 13-8 lead and draw a DWU timeout. CNC maintained that lead and grew on it late for a 25-15 set three win and 3-0 match win.

Head-to-Head (Concordia)