ST. PAUL, Minn. - After pushing conference favorite and No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul to the brink in the first set, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball faltered in the next two frames and the Cougars suffered a 3-0 (28-26, 25-14, 25-4) defeat on Saturday evening. The Cougars fall to 12-7 on the season with a 6-5 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
Sioux Falls hung with the Golden Bears (17-2, 9-2 NSIC) in the first set before succumbing to the seven-time national champions 28-26. The USF offense mustered 11 kills on a .139 attack percentage, but used four blocks to push CSP into extra points. The Cougars trailed in the first set, 19-15, but a four-point burst, capped by two Sydney Schaap service aces, tied the score.
 
Sioux Falls then took a lead after Bria Barfnecht connected on a kill to start a three-point run. Aubrey Milne gave USF a set point opportunity with a kill but CSP fought it off with a kill. Schaap set USF with another set point chance with a kill on the next point, but a service error tied the score at 25-25. Lexi Scott connected on a kill to give USF their third chance for the set victory, but CSP used two blocks to fuel a three-point run and take the first set, 28-26.
 
In the final two sets, Sioux Falls' offense struggled against the Concordia-St. Paul front line, which posted nine blocks in the second and third sets. The Cougars connected on just eight kills in the final two frames, allowing CSP to win the final two sets and complete the sweep.
 
Barfnecht led USF with five kills and Makenna Rockeman and Lexi Scott added four each for the Cougars. Abby Folk led USF with eight digs and Schaap posted a team-high three block assists.
 
The Cougars return to Sioux Falls for a three-match home stand beginning with current No. 3 Southwest Minnesota State on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Stewart Center.