Bulldogs swept away in GPAC opener

FREMONT, Neb. – No. 22 Midland University, fresh off the school’s first-ever national ranking with Tuesday’s poll release, showed why they are among the NAIA’s top 25 teams on Wednesday night. The Warriors overpowered the visiting Bulldogs, 25-19, 25-15, 25-10.

Concordia (1-4, 0-1 GPAC) got out in front 8-4 in the opening set, but quickly relinquished the lead in what proved to be a dominant performance for Midland in the GPAC opener for both squads. The Warriors’ .308 to - .028 advantage on the attack told the story on this night.

Midland sophomore outside hitter Ashley Wheeler posted a sizzling .409 hitting percentage while totaling a match-high 12 kills. Wheeler was put in good position all night by sophomore setter Megan Farley, who piled up 26 assists.

Senior outside hitter Amanda Kisker notched a team-high six kills for the Bulldogs, while sophomore setter Kayla James added eight assists and sophomore defensive specialist Carli James tallied eight digs.

Concordia, in the midst of a difficult schedule to open the season, played its third-straight match against a ranked opponent on Wednesday. The Bulldogs also suffered losses to then No. 13 Grand View (Iowa) and then No. 19 Bellevue (Neb.) at the Bellevue Labor Day Classic on Sept. 1.

Concordia now looks forward to the Hastings Tournament on Friday and Saturday when it will play two matches on each day, highlighted by another battle with Grand View on Saturday. The Bulldogs will then host Doane on Sept. 11 in the team’s home opener.