SIOUX CITY, Iowa – After a tough run of results, the Concordia University Volleyball team left no doubt on Friday (Oct. 15). Star setter Tara Callahan quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a .352 hitting percentage and they rolled in straight sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-20, at Briar Cliff. Concordia made its first trip to Sioux City, Iowa, since reaching the NAIA national quarterfinals this past spring.
It took roughly an hour-and-15-minutes for Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad to wrap things up at the Newman Flanagan Center and get back in the win column. The Bulldogs (10-9, 5-6 GPAC) brushed aside the frustrations from dropping four matches in a row in five sets.
“We were pretty efficient tonight. We did what we needed to do,” Boldt said. “We took good out-of-system swings. Erica Heinzerling was aggressive and smart at the same time. She hit really well and I was happy to see that. Carly Rodaway did a good job on the right side for us and took some good swings too. Our work offensively is what put us over the top.”
Concordia exerted control in all three sets, hitting .333 in the first, .381 in the second and .333 in the third. As Boldt alluded to in his postgame comments, the Bulldogs could have been better in service. They posted only two aces to 12 service errors. It just didn’t matter a whole lot in this match. The Chargers had no answer for Concordia’s attack. Callahan piled up 42 assists while spreading the ball to the likes of Heinzerling (13 kills, .323), Rodaway (10 kills, .444), Gabi Nordaker (nine kills, .412) and Kalee Wiltfong (six kills, .385).
In a statistical oddity, both teams managed only two blocks apiece. That meant a lot of work for the Bulldog back row, which helped limit Briar Cliff (7-15, 1-10 GPAC) to a .125 hitting percentage on the night. Four Concordia players had at least eight digs: Camryn Opfer (16), Callahan (11), Cassidy Knust (eight) and Kennedy VanScoy (eight).
The Chargers were led by the nine kills from Toria Andre. Briar Cliff uses a two-setter system that features Maureen Imrie (15 assists) and Madilyn Wagaman (12 assists). The lone GPAC win for the Chargers this season came over intracity rival Morningside.
This was a positive step for the Bulldogs, who have played the NAIA’s most challenging schedule (according to Massey Ratings). Concordia has been right there with a chance to win in virtually every match it has played this season. It was important for the Bulldogs to be able to slam the door shut on Friday as they seek to enhance their positioning within the GPAC this weekend.
More matches against nationally ranked GPAC opponents are coming, meaning the Bulldogs must sharpen their serving down the stretch. Said Boldt, “Our serving wasn’t great tonight. That’s something we have to clean up for sure. That serving piece is a focus for us. The best teams in the GPAC serve really tough.”
The Bulldogs will remain in Sioux City as they prepare to take on Morningside (10-16, 1-10 GPAC) on Saturday. First serve from the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center is set for 3 p.m. CT. Concordia will attempt to extend its series win streak over the Mustangs to three. Also in Friday night action, Morningside was defeated in straight sets by No. 6 Midland.