The series between the Muskies and Cougars commenced with the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference's first season in 2006, and Lakeland has dominated the series since winning that first meeting in five sets Oct. 19, 2006. The Muskies have defeated Concordia 15 straight times entering today, including a 25-23, 25-19, 25-13 last season a year ago this weekend in River Forest, Ill. Lakeland also posted a four-set win on the road at CUC in 2024, and swept to an easy 25-14, 25-11, 25-10 victory in the last meeting at the Moose & Dona Woltzen Gymnasium Oct. 28, 2023. Concordia's lone win in the series came Oct. 8, 2011, a 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 win at home in River Forest.

Lakeland last time out: Lost at Wisconsin-Whitewater 3-1 Wednesday
The Muskies stepped out of conference to play the perennially strong Warhawks and took a set on the road but were ultimately defeated in four sets, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21. Lakeland hung tough in the second set and scored the final three points after Whitewater had scored three straight points to tie the set at 22-22. The Warhawks held the upper hand in the final two sets and snapped the Muskies' eight-match winning streak. Maleigha Kovalaske finished with 19 kills, Emily Hansen added 11 kills and Laura Pearson posted a season-high eight blocks.

Concordia Chicago last time out: Defeated Dominican 3-0 Saturday
The Cougars had a successful Senior Night, sweeping the winless Stars 25-15, 25-15, 25-12 in the meeting of neighboring schools. Debanhi Moreno tallied up 13 kills and added 10 digs and seniors Rachel Livesay and Bethany Roethel both added 10 digs each. With the win the Cougars also locked up the eighth and final spot in the NACC Tournament, their first trip to the conference tournament since 2021. Concordia has been an improved team this season, bettering both its overall and conference win totals by three wins each over last year.

Senior Day: Lakeland will honor four senior members of its team before Saturday's match. Ryan Figi, Emily Hansen and Caitlyn Pernsteiner are all four-year members of the program and have been part of teams winning 59 matches in that time, including four straight top-five finishes in the NACC. Lourdes Lester also join the trio in the pregame ceremonies, and the Alaska native is in her second year with the program and this year is a student assistant with the team.