The Briar Cliff volleyball team fell in straight sets to the No. 1 ranked Concordia Bulldogs Friday in the Newman Flanagan Center.
 
"I'm proud of our team for the way they started the match tonight with tons of energy and I thought we were very focused," said head coach Lindsey Weatherford. "Set one was probably the best volleyball we have played all season. I'm proud that we pushed Concordia, the number one team in the nation, to 20-20. That was a highlight of our season so far for sure."

The Chargers battled the top-ranked Bulldogs in the first set. After a back-and-forth start to the set, The Chargers took an 11-8 lead on a Toria Andre kill. After the Bulldogs took a 16-15 lead, the Chargers rattled off four straight points to force a Concordia timeout. Andre recorded a kill and a solo block in the four-point run. The Bulldogs found their rhythm, scoring nine of the last 11 points to take set one.
 
The Bulldogs carried over the set one momentum into the second frame. The Bulldogs hit a red-hot .471 and scored 11 straight points to win set two.
 
After a quick start in set three by the Bulldogs, the Chargers used a 5-1 run to pull within three points. Makynna Snow and Andre recorded kills in the run, while Andre and Kiersten Baker teamed up for a block. Facing match point, the Chargers looked to rally with a kill from Taryn Nothem and back-to-back aces from Baylee Greene. A kill from the Bulldogs' Maddie Paulsen closed out the 3-0 Concordia win.
 
"Avery Beller continues to out-dig opponents and I am proud of how our defense has performed. We went into set three with only two blocks and came out with many more which is just telling of how adaptable our block can be," said Weatherford. "Toria Andre continues to be a leader on the court on offense and defense and I thought Taryn Nothem played well for us tonight on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball."
 
Nothem and Andre led the Cliff with six kills each. Sami Wasmund and Andre each tallied three blocks.
 
Yenne Schepers dished out 13 assists and Olivia Corey had 11 assists. Avery Beller had a game high 16 digs and led the Cliff in digs in the last three games.
 
Briar Cliff will turn around and face #10 Midland tomorrow in the NFC. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. between the Chargers and Warriors.