IRVINE, Calif. --- Two of the top five teams in the NAIA battled each other in a thrilling contest on Tuesday night, but in the end it was No. 3 Concordia University hanging on for a 30-27, 19-30, 30-24, 27-30, 15-6 win over No. 4 Biola University in a Golden State Athletic Conference match on Tuesday night at the CUI Arena in Irvine.

Biola drops to 24-5 overall and 11-5 in GSAC action while Concordia improves to 22-3 and 13-3 in conference.

The match was everything one would expect it to be when two high-caliber teams face off and nothing like the one-sided blowout won by Concordia when the two teams did battle earlier in the season.

Despite coming off a long trip to Michigan over the weekend where Biola defeated four tough teams in two days, the team looked rested and ready to play. Junior outside hitter Meghan Warkentin, who had been named the tournament's MVP, kept her strong play going, with 15 kills and 10 digs on the night. Junior outside hitter Jessica Buffum added 11 kills, nine digs and two blocks.

However, Concordia could seem to do no wrong when it wanted to, pounding out 76 kills. Tracy Weamer led four CUI players in double-figures in kills with 20 and also added 19 digs. Weamer started slow but had 11 kills in the final two games including five in the deciding fifth game.

Things got off to a rocky start for Biola in game one as a 14-3 run gave Concordia an early 18-8 lead. Biola managed to edge back in slowly, cutting the gap to five at 25-20 before facing game point at 29-22. Warkentin served out a quick 5-0 run to pull Biola to 29-27, but Amber Ridens closed out the game with a kill.

In the second, Biola kept its late momentum from the previous game rolling, using an 11-1 run to open up a 21-8 lead in the game. After posting a .020 attack percentage in game one, Biola hit .333 and had 15 kills–six from Warkentin and three from Kristen Peterson.

The third game was filled with long runs by both teams. Concordia again broke open the game early, using a 10-0 run to go up 18-8 midway through the game. Biola then scored 14 of the next 19 points to close within one at 22-21. Ultimately, though, a final 8-3 run gave Concordia the 30-24 win. Biola again struggle offensively, hitting just .086 to Concordia's .204 attack percentage.

Game four was a thriller as Biola fought to extend the match to a fifth game. After falling behind 17-12, Biola battled back to tie the game at 20-20 thanks to five straight attacking errors by Concordia. The score remained close until Buffum took over, recording a block to tie the score at 27-27, then three straight kills to give Biola the game.

The luck ran out for Biola in game five, though, as Concordia opened up the game scoring 10 of the first 12 points and never looked back.

Biola received strong play from its pair of middle blockers with sophomore Kelsey Christoferson leading the way with eight kills, five blocks and a .412 attack percentage. Peterson added seven kills, six blocks and three digs.

Biola has little time to rest from its thrilling win, hosting No. 1 Fresno Pacific on Wednesday (Oct. 31) at 7:00 p.m. in Chase Gymnasium.