Box Score ESCONDIDO, Calif.— The Cal State San Marcos volleyball team faced its toughest test of the season Tuesday against defending NAIA national Champion and No. 1 ranked Concordia, giving the Eagles a run for their money before falling 15-25, 22-25, 23-25.

Alyssa Hubbard picked up a team best nine kills while Taylor DeGraaf contributed eight kills and a game high 16 digs for the Cougars, now 12-5 on the season. Erin Talafus was a big factor at the net, recording a match best five kills to go along with her four kills, and libero Waverly Richards added 10 digs defensively.

The Cougars nearly walked away with each of the second and third sets against a team that has won 71 of their last 72 games dating back to 2011, but the Eagles found a way to close each out against the spirited and lively Cougars.

"We played well at times, and are still making strides to capitalize on points when the score is close, especially teams of this caliber," said head coach Andrea Leonard. "We had opportunities to pull ahead and aren't quite where we need to be yet, but we are aware and making progress in those areas."

The Cougars jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the first set, but we're unable to generate much offensively after that point against a talented defense that often featured a trio of tall blockers at the net, recording just six kills on the set. However, the Cougars made some adjustments after the first period and made the Eagles squirm the rest of the way.

After Concordia worked its way to a 14-10 lead, the Cougars scratched and clawed their way back to take nine of the next 13 points and regain the advantage. Leading 19-18, libero Waverly Richards and Alyssa Foster each made spectacular dives defensively to keep the play alive, but the play was ruled dead and the Eagles were awarded the point despite the ball appearing to never have touched ground. Nonetheless, the Cougars maintained focus and were threatening all the way to the set's final point when Concordia's Jessica Isreal closed it out with one of her 11 kills.

Unfazed, CSUSM promptly exerted itself once again and battled to a five-point  lead after an ace by Taylor Harris put the Cougars up 14-9. Concordia eventually evened the score and grabbed a 22-20 edge, but the Cougars were not done fighting, rapping off the next three points to hold a 23-22 lead that resulted in Eagles head coach Trevor Johnson calling timeout.

Unfortunately for CSUSM, Concordia exited the timeout with the next three points despite some lengthy rallies, and ended the match with a block at the net.

Despite the loss, there was much to be taken away from the game. "To be the best, you have to play the best to see where you are— this is a good indicator for us to focus on different areas of our game," said Leonard.

CSUSM will have a chance to put their adjustments to action against top competition again this weekend in the Vanguard tournament, where they will face No. 4 Biola Friday and No. 19 Vanguard Saturday. The Cougars' next home match will be Tuesday, September 17 against No. 9 Westmont.