SEWARD, Neb. – Eighteen Bulldogs saw action and Maddie Paulsen returned to the court for the first time in 2024 as the fourth-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball team took care of business on Friday (Oct. 11). The Bulldogs absorbed a strong push from the Chargers in the opening set and took it in three, 25-21, 25-13, 25-19. Eight Concordia players registered at least one kill and the home team managed to limit Briar Cliff to an .058 hitting percentage.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad played at home for the first time in the month of October and ran its overall mark to 15-2 (8-1 GPAC).
“It was good to get a couple of players in there in the last set,” Boldt said. “It’s good to see Maddie Paulsen get her first kill since her injury last year. We had a little trouble finding a rhythm in the first set, but I thought we did a good job of fighting. In the second set we found some rhythm. With the Friday-Saturday schedule, we’re off for a little bit. We have to get at it. I think this does a good job of simulating what the national tournament is going to be. We have to be able to start off more aggressively with the things that we can control. I thought we got there in the second set.”
The Bulldogs were forced to regroup in the first set after they allowed an 18-13 lead to slip away. Briar Cliff came all the way back to knot it, 20-20. Down the stretch, Concordia leaned upon Ashley Keck, who smashed seven of her match high 10 kills in the first set. Keck ended the Charger threat by hammering down point Nos. 24 and 25. The Bulldogs essentially controlled the action the rest of the way as the Boldts tinkered with new lineups and rotations.
It was a feel-good moment in the third set when Paulsen put away the pass from Lily Psencik for her first kill of the campaign. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native had not played in a varsity match since tearing her ACL in the 2023 GPAC tournament championship match. In addition, Lanie Brott emerged in the third set and supplied three kills. Concordia actually used three different setters as Psencik (19 assists), Savannah Shelburne (18 assists) and Kelsi Heard (five assists and an ace) took their turns on the floor.
Keck was followed in the kill department by teammates Gabi Nordaker (nine kills and three blocks), Addie Kirkegaard (eight), Ella Waters (eight) and Ava Greene (seven). Keck paced the back row with 13 digs while Cassidy Knust added 10 digs and two aces and Becca Gebhardt came up with eight digs. The Bulldogs hit .235 as a team and out-killed Briar Cliff, 50-26.
The Chargers (6-15, 0-9 GPAC) remain in search of their first GPAC win. Isabelle Lenz topped Briar Cliff with seven kills and libero Avery Beller collected 22 digs. Briar Cliff will be headed to Fremont to play Midland on Saturday.
Said Boldt of Concordia’s upcoming match, “For tomorrow, there are a lot of things that happen with senior day. Our junior class has put a lot into it. We do things outside of the match to make it special for our senior class. We have to be able to do that stuff and also be prepared for the match. That’s going to be our challenge. We’re starting that preparation now with our mentality.”
The Bulldogs will be right back inside Friedrich Arena on Saturday to host Morningside (17-7, 5-4 GPAC). First serve of the varsity match is set for 3 p.m. CT. In Friday action, the Mustangs fell in five sets at No. 18 Midland. Prior to Saturday’s match, Concordia will honor its six seniors: Becca Gebhardt, Kelsi Heard, Cassidy Knust, Macy McClain, Delaney Novy and Ashlyn Wischmeier.