SEWARD, Neb. – Excitement is back for the Concordia University volleyball team, which will be back in front of the home fans this weekend with a 4-0 record next to its name. The Bulldogs are riding high after knocking off 19th-ranked Corban University (Ore.) their last time out. That victory added legitimacy to the hopes that Concordia had made significant strides since the end of the 2018 campaign. Now it’s on to a three-match weekend at the Bulldog Bash.
Bulldog Bash Schedule
Aug. 30
Benedictine College vs. Mayville State (Walz Arena), 3 p.m.
Waldorf University vs. Bethany College (PE Center), 3 p.m.
Briar Cliff University vs. Benedictine College (Walz Arena), 5 p.m.
Mayville State University vs. Bethany College (PE Center), 5 p.m.
Concordia vs. Waldorf University (Walz Arena), 7 p.m.
Aug. 31
Concordia vs. Mayville State University (Walz Arena), 11 a.m.
Benedictine College (KS) vs. Waldorf University (PE Center), 11 a.m.
Briar Cliff University vs. Waldorf University (Walz Arena), 1 p.m.
Mayville State University vs. Bethel College (PE Center), 1 p.m.
Concordia vs. Benedictine College (Walz Arena) 3 p.m.
Briar Cliff University vs. Bethel College (PE Center), 3 p.m.
The three Bulldog matches will be streamed via the Concordia Sports Network. Live statistics for all matches will be supplied through Dakstats. Frank Greene will call the two Saturday Concordia contests for 104.9 Max Country.
Including the Bulldogs, seven teams will be present for the two-day Bulldog Bash. Concordia will take on Waldorf University (Iowa), Mayville State University (N.D.) and Benedictine College (Kan.) as it tries to remain unbeaten. The Bulldogs will also put an active string of 19-straight wins versus nonconference opponents on the line.
Head coach Ben Boldt’s squad put together an impressive first week of the season in taking straight set wins from York College, Baker University (Kan.), Wayland Baptist University (Texas) and No. 19 Corban. The victory over Corban marked the program’s first over a top 25 foe since November 2015. The team’s .320 hitting percentage (No. 2 in the NAIA) has been a result of improvement across the board. Another statistic that stands out: Concordia’s opponents have combined for only five service aces.
At middle blocker, senior Emmie Noyd has been smoldering hot. Despite the Bulldogs playing the minimum number of sets possible through four matches, Noyd has accumulated 52 kills and is hitting .440. Among all NAIA players, the native of Shelby, Neb., ranks second in hitting percentage and third in kills per set. She has been facilitated by setter Tara Callahan, whose 11.42 assists per set rank No. 5 in the nation. On the outside, freshman Camryn Opfer (32 kills, .362 hitting percentage) has provided a significant boost.
The first opponent this weekend will be Waldorf, which is 3-0 after a 6-21 campaign in 2018. Mayville State is 0-4 following a 19-16 campaign in 2018. Lastly, Benedictine is 3-1 after going 17-14 a year ago. In the early national Massey Ratings, Waldorf is 106th, Mayville State is 131st and Benedictine is 86th. Last season Concordia handled Benedictine in straight sets.
Ready or not, the start of conference play will arrive next week. The Bulldogs will host No. 14 Hastings at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Concordia will then be at the Baker Invitational for three matches Sept. 6-7.