The Wolverines controlled the first two sets and had an early lead in the third before the Cardinals regrouped to force a deciding fifth set. The Wolverines trailed 12-7 in the fifth, but UM-Dearborn rallied to take a 14-12 lead, serving with a chance to close out the contest. The Cardinals again bounced back, saving two match points and capturing the victory. The set scores were 23-25, 14-25, 25-23, 26-24, 16-14. The loss drops UM-Dearborn to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in the WHAC.

Senior Shayla Smalls (SR/Canton, MI) led the Wolverine offense with 18 kills, while committing just three errors, finishing with a .341 hitting percentage. Freshman Gina Giacomini (FR/Plymouth, MI) added 11 kills, while junior Erin Parrinello (JR/Westland, MI) recorded nine. Daniella Barile (SO/Plymouth, MI) posted a team-high 27 assists, while Sabrina Giacomini (FR/Plymouth, MI) added 21. 

The defense was led by Heather Roberts (JR/Flint, MI) with 19 digs, while Caitlyn Carlson (JR/Armada, MI) and Parrinello each finished with 15 digs. Parrinello added one solo block and four block assists, while Katherine Nealy (JR/Southfield, MI) and Bri Alspaugh (SR/St. Louis, MI) each added four block assists. 

The Wolverines finished with 58 kills, 28 errors and a .160 hitting percentage. 

Concordia was led by Gabrielle den Boer and Alisha Anderson with 11 kills each, while Anderson had a match-high 27 digs. 

The Wolverines continue WHAC play against conference newcomer Rochester College at 1 p.m. Saturday in Rochester Hills, Mich.