ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team began its MIAC schedule with a 3-1 loss to Concordia College, 26-24, 15-25, 25-23, 25-21 Thursday evening in the Leonard Center. The Scots are now 4-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference, while the Cobbers improve to 3-3, 1-0 MIAC.

In the first set, Macalester took control late and built a 24-19 lead, only to have Concordia score seven straight points to take the set, 26-24. The Scots came back strong in the second set, with senior middle hitter Caitlyn O'Neil (Carmichael, Calif./Rio Americano) and junior outside hitter India Medaris (Napa, Calif./Justin Siena) recording four kills apiece in a 25-15 win.

The third set went back and forth, with the Cobbers eventually taking a 23-20 lead. Three straight Mac points tied the score at 23-23, but kills by Emma Chandler and Emily Friedrich gave Concordia the win and a 2-1 lead in the match. Junior outside hitter Clara Baumann (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) had six kills in the third set for the Scots.

The Cobbers were able to win another close set to wrap up the match, breaking a 20-20 tie by scoring five of the final six points for a 25-21 victory. Baumann had four kills in the set, while senior middle hitter Meghan Klapper (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) and first year right side Grace Brickner (Bronx, N.Y./Fieldston) each tallied three kills.

Baumann ended up with 15 kills and 15 digs to lead Macalester, while Medaris added 13 kills and three total blocks. Senior setter Brooke Hunter (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) delivered a career-best 44 assists and 10 digs. Senior libero Hoai-Nam Bui (McLean, Va./Langley) led the defense with 19 digs. Briana Carney registered a match-high 18 kills for Concordia.

Macalester plays a tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 17 against host Milwaukee School of Engineering and Maranatha Baptist. The first match starts at 1:00 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.

MAC (1) – 24 25 23 21
Con (3) – 26 15 25 25