SEWARD, Neb. – Recently named an All-Region selection by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, senior setter Tara Callahan has picked up another postseason award. Callahan has been named an NAIA honorable mention All-American for the second straight season, as announced by the NAIA on Tuesday (May 4). Callahan helped lead the top-10 ranked Concordia University Volleyball team to the NAIA national quarterfinals.
Callahan (Brady, Neb.), both a two-time AVCA All-Region and first team All-GPAC honoree, ranked fourth among all NAIA players this 2020-21 season with an average of 11.31 assists per set and directed an offensive attack that ranked No. 8 nationally in kills per set (13.8). As one of the top setters in program history, Callahan has piled up collegiate career totals of 3,659 assists, 653 digs, 301 kills and 209 blocks over 386 sets played. Callahan played a major role in leading the Bulldogs to the national round of 16 in 2019 and the national quarterfinals this spring. Callahan did some of her best work at the national tournament, posting 71 assists in the five-set win over Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) and 49 assists in the four-set victory over No. 7 Marian University (Ind.).
Other postseason honors that have been handed out to Bulldogs this spring have included AVCA All-Region honorable mention recognition for freshman Gabi Nordaker and NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team selection for sophomore Camryn Opfer. Concordia concluded the season at 18-5 overall.
Following the 2019 season, Callahan was joined with All-America accolades by teammate Emmie Noyd (third team All-American). The 2015 national tournament team landed both Jocelyn Garcia and Alayna Kavanaugh on the honorable mention All-America list.