ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College volleyball team lost an exciting five-set match to Concordia College, 23-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 in the MIAC opener for both teams Friday night in the Leonard Center. The defeat drops the Scots to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while the Cobbers improve to 9-4, 1-0 MIAC.

Macalester put away 15 kills and held off a late charge by Concordia to win the first set, 25-23. Sophomore outside hitter Grace Watkins (San Angelo, Texas/Georgetown) and sophomore right side Avery Rahe (Olathe, Kan./Olathe West) each had five kills in the set. The Cobbers controlled the second set in building an 18-6 lead, then answered a 10-2 Scots' run by scoring five of the final six points in a 25-17 win.

In the third set, Macalester led 17-13 before Concordia came back to tie the score and eventually lead, 23-22. Watkins came through late with a pair of kills sandwiched around a kill by junior middle blocker Stephanie Geber (Oviedo, Fla./Oviedo) to give the Scots a 25-23 win in the set and a 2-1 lead in the match. Needing to win the fourth set to extend the match, the Cobbers jumped out to a 19-6 lead and seemed on their way to a comfortable win. But Macalester battled back to pull within four, 22-18, only to have Concordia tally three of the final four points to win, 25-19 and tie the match at two sets apiece.

The final set saw Macalester trail 9-3 before mounting a comeback. Three kills by junior outside hitter Adisa Preston (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) helped the Scots reel off a 9-5 run to make the score 14-12. Mallory Leitner registered the final blow with a kill to give Concordia a 15-12 win in the final set.

Watkins finished with a career-high 18 kills to lead the offense. Rahe tallied 12 kills, while Preston recorded 11 kills and 21 digs. First year setter Hannah Morrow (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook) dished out 47 assists and had 12 digs. Defensively, junior libero Torrance Williams (Houston, Texas/Yes Prep Northbrook) notched 24 digs and first year middle blocker Sydney Stratton (North Liberty, Iowa/Liberty) had four blocks. Maria Watt and Brook Carney each had 12 kills for the Cobbers.

Macalester continues MIAC play on Saturday, Sept. 23 with a home match against Bethel. The first serve goes up at 5:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.