Bulldogs defeated in GPAC rematch

HASTINGS, Neb. – The No. 17 Concordia volleyball team was edge by No. 21 Hastings College Wednesday, Oct. 7 in straight sets, 25-20, 28-26, and 25-18. Six different Bulldogs recorded at least three kills in the rematch from earlier this season.

Said head coach Scott Mattera, “Well you had two teams in the top 10% of all teams in the country. They had a really on night and we were streaky. We’re still got some growing to do in terms of expecting everyone’s best match and then embracing the challenge when it happens.”

Senior Claire White led the way with 10 kills, bringing her career total to 921. Paige Getz also contributed seven kills to the Bulldogs’ 35 kill total. GPAC Setter of the Week Alayna Kavanaugh marked up 29 assists and tallied three kills.

As a team, CUNE recorded a .080 hitting percentage compared to Hastings’ .187. The Bulldogs led in the service aces column 4-3. The Broncos held the advantage in kills 37-35.

In the first set, the Bulldogs tied the game twice and came within two several times, but were not able to overcome the Hastings strong attack, hitting .259 in the set.

The second set saw a back and forth style of play with a plus-25 point set. The Bulldogs took the lead off a kill from White and led by two twice more throughout the set. The lead changed two times in those 18 volleys with the Broncos prevailing, 28-26.

The Bulldogs got off to an early lead in the last set, leading for all but one volley throughout their first eight points. Concordia tied the set up three times, but were not able to get ahead enough to take the match.

The No. 17 Bulldogs were served their second GPAC loss of the season, making them 6-2 in conference play and 18-5 overall. The No. 21 Broncos improved to 16-6 overall and 7-2 in the GPAC.

“We’ll learn from this and get better,” Mattera noted on upcoming contests. “There is a lot of season left.”

Concordia will host Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 10 for its homecoming match in Walz Arena. First serve is set for 6 p.m.