Fifth-ranked Wayne State hit .500 in the third set and pulled away for a three-set sweep of No. 3 Concordia-St. Paul on Friday, winning 26-24, 25-23, 25-16 in the conference opener for both teams at Rice Auditorium.
The Wildcats had solid net play throughout the evening and hit at a .359 percentage for the night with 42 kills and five errors in 103 attempts.
Concordia-St. Paul matched the Wildcats for much of the first set and led by as many as six before the Wildcats rallied to take the opening set. The two teams went back-and-forth again in the second before the Wildcats came out on top, and Wayne State took control in the final set to come away with the win.
Kelsie Cada came up big, particularly in the second set, and finished with a match-high 14 kills to lead the 10-0 (1-0 NSIC) Wildcats. Taya Beller added 10 kills and Maggie Brahmer had nine, with Rachel Walker setting up 31 assists.
Defensively, Jessie Brandl had 10 digs, Jordan McCormick added nine and Walker had eight. Brahmer had five blocks, Beller added four and Walker put down two.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday with a 1 p.m. matchup against Minnesota State at Rice Auditorium.
