Box Score
LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Just like a MKTO song, the Biola and Concordia volleyball rivalry is "so classic." Tonight's Golden State Athletic Conference showdown was no different, as these two NAIA heavyweights went head-to-head for five sets, before No. 3 Concordia got the win by the slimmest of margins.
 
Students came out in droves to witness the NAIA Match of the Week and they loudly and proudly supported Biola's valiant attempt to earn a victory. They were treated to a dandy as the teams slugged it out up until the final moment of CUI's 3-2 (20-25, 28-26, 19-25, 21-25, 15-13) victory.
 
"It was a typical hard-fought tough match, and when it came down to it we just did not execute the last two points we needed to," said Head Coach Aaron Seltzer.
 
Those last two points were oh-so crucial for Biola, which throughout the match seemed the better side. The fifth set was the exception, because it was too close to call from start to finish.
 
Unlike other sets, which began with one team taking an early advantage from the start, no team ever had a lead of larger than two points in the fifth. Teams had a two-point advantage three times in the final set, and Biola had that two-point lead twice, but not the third time, which is when it counted most.
 
Concordia earned its largest lead of that set by rattling off four of the final five points of the match. They saw themselves down 12-11 as the Biola fans erupted into cheers following an Amy Weststeyn service ace that broke an 11-11 tie.
 
However, three straight points earned by CUI's hitters and server stunned the crowd and left Biola staring a loss in the face, trailing 14-12. A huge play by Tess Van Grouw, which saved the match point, led to a big kill from Alyssa Mason that made it a one-point match once again. Mason and Van Grouw were standouts all night long, remaining cool as ice under the intense pressure of the big match.
 
After some rally, Reanna Schelhaas put the hammer down for Concordia, finishing off her team-leading 16^th kill of the night, and finishing off Biola for good.
 
This marks the seventh consecutive regular-season loss against Concordia for Biola. The Eagles battled hard, as they always do, but fell just short to the reigning GSAC champions.
 
"Hats off to Concordia," said Seltzer. "They made the plays they needed to make, but in the end they did it."
 
It was a long road to a loss for the Eagles, who came out looking dominant throughout the first and second sets, until midway through the second Biola's attack fell flat and blew what was a 22-19 lead. The Concordia comeback in that second set can be attributed to Biola's inability to get their hits between the lines, accumulating 11 attacking errors in the set.
 
Also unusual tonight was the Eagles' inability to set Amy Weststeyn in good positions tonight. The senior, who is so integral to Biola's ability to get points on the board, was held at bay tonight, only registering nine kills in 32 attacks. She was still able to contribute five blocks, which was a point of strength for Biola all match long. It outblocked Concordia, 9-7.
 
Mason led the team with 15 kills and seemingly was the one coming up with the big attack at the exact right moments. She had four kills in Biola's come-from-behind fourth set win, which forced the deciding game.
 
"Alyssa's energy and performance was great tonight," said Seltzer. "She played solid all night. She was good all-around and showed great leadership on the floor."
 
It is a tough pill to swallow, as the Eagles are now 0-3 this year in five-set matches, but it is not one Biola cannot come back from. The Eagles still sit in second place in the GSAC and face Concordia one more time during the regular season.
 
Biola falls to 12-4 (2-1 GSAC), while the visiting Eagles improve to 16-1 (4-0 GSAC). Biola has its first road conference match of the season next, facing San Diego Christian on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.