ST. PAUL, Minn. – Top-ranked Concordia University capped the quarterfinal round of the 2012 NSIC/US Bank Volleyball Tournament by sweeping eighth-seeded Augustana Friday night at the Gangelhoff Center – set scores were 25-16, 25-16 and 25-19. The Golden Bears move on to face Northern State in the semifinals Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

CU Volleyball vs Augustana 11.16.2012 - Images by Justin Oakman

Head Coach Brady Starkey’s squad claimed its 16th consecutive match, while preserving its unblemished record at home this season – 15-0 – all in straight sets. The Bears are now 26-3 overall, while the Vikings fall to 17-13.  

Augustana began the opening set with some momentum, leading 1-0 and 2-1, until Concordia went on a 7-to-2 run to lead 8-4. The Golden Bears sustained a close lead before ending the set with nine of the final 12 points for the 25-16 decision.

The Bears hit .351 in set one (15-2-37), led by Ellie Duffy (Fridley, Minn.) with five kills and a .400 attack percentage.

The Vikings once again hung around for the beginning of the second frame, but it was only a matter of time before the Bears took control. With the Vikings leading 4-3, CU scored six unanswered points for a 9-4 lead. The Navy and Gold built a 10-point lead on four occasions and rolled to another 25-16 win.

Duffy was once again the offensive leader in the second, along with Ashley Murtha (Apple Valley, Minn.), each collecting five kills. Amanda Konetchy (Victoria, Minn.) contributed 17 assists, leading to a .381 team attack rate.

Augustana kept the third set tight throughout, but was unable to overcome a late deficit. The Vikings trailed 17-16 late in the set before the Bears closed the door with a 9-to-3 spree for the deciding game.

Murtha tied a season-high with 15 kills on 33 attempts and one error for a .424 clip. She also collected 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Kayla Koenecke (Delano, Minn.) also recorded a double-double – her team-leading eighth of the year – with 10 kills and 13 digs.

Konetchy served up 43 of the team’s 48 assists, averaging 14.3 per set and increasing her NCAA-leading average to 13.23 per set. Defensively, libero Taylor Dordan (Blaine, Minn.) tallied a game-high 18 digs.

The Vikings accumulated a .175 attack percentage, led by Megan Bezdicek with 10 kills.

Concordia and Northern State will face off at 7:00 p.m. Saturday with a ticket to the NSIC Championship on the line. The Bears shut out the Wolves on September 22 in St. Paul.