Stats:Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 | Match 4 | Recap
Moorhead, Minn.-- The 15th-ranked Concordia volleyball picked up where they left off in 2004 as the Cobbers swept their first two matches at the Haverford (Pa.) Invitational. Not only did Concordia win both matches, but both were convincing three-game sweeps. Concordia bettered Susquehanna (Pa.) 30-19, 30-18, 30-15 and then turned around and dispatched of the host Fords 30-22, 30-22, 30-18.

The pair of victories jumpstarts the Concordia season after having lost four of their top players from last year. The opening victory over Susquehanna marked the first time in three years that the Cobbers have claimed their season opener.

The outcome was in little doubt from the start of the match. Concordia's athletic frontline was too much for the Crusaders to handle. Five different Cobber players recorded at least four kills in the three-game sweep. Freshman Danielle Norby wasted little time in making her impact felt. She led all players with six kills and had 17 total attacks chances. 2004 All-American Becca Shane and Michelle Honek posted five kill apiece, while newcomers Kristen Hokenstad and Mackenzie Close finished with four kills.

Jill Hance and Alyssa Dahl were inserted into the lineup to fill 2004 MIAC MVP Jessica Walden's spot as the team setter. The two freshmen overcame first match jitters and did a solid job of distributing the ball to the Concordia attackers. Hance came away with a team-high 14 assists and Dahl dished out nine assists.

Three different Cobbers led the defensive charge as the team tries to find a replacement for 1,000 career dig player Amy Fitzner. Emily Gilbertson was joined by Honek and Hance to lead the team with five digs.

In the nightcap for the Cobbers, Shane flexed her muscles by coming away with a match-high 14 kills. Lindsay Sipma, after having only three kills in the first match, infused the Cobber attack with energy and finished with 10 kills.

Dahl improved on her assist total from the opening match and led the Cobber offense with 21 assists. Anna Tinkham had 18 assists and five digs in her first major appearance for the team in 2005. Sarah Zerbe played the role of defensive stopper, finishing the match with a team-high nine digs.

Concordia will finish the Haverford Invitational on Sunday, September 4 for the second day of the invitational. The Cobbers will return home to Moorhead and then host UM-Morris in their home opener on Tuesday, September 6 at 7:00pm.