SEWARD, Neb. – Instrumental in the Concordia University Volleyball team’s run to the NAIA national quarterfinals, senior Tara Callahan and freshman Gabi Nordaker have both been honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). As announced on Thursday (April 29), Callahan garnered a spot on the AVCA’s NAIA West Central Region Team while Nordaker was an honorable mention selection.
Callahan (Brady, Neb.) is a repeat all-region choice having also collected the same award in 2019. The two-time first team All-GPAC honoree ranked fourth among all NAIA players this 2020-21 season with an average of 11.31 assists per set. She directed an offensive attack that ranked No. 8 nationally in kills per set (13.8). The 2019 NAIA honorable mention All-American has piled up collegiate career totals of 3,659 assists, 653 digs, 301 kills and 209 blocks over 386 sets played. Callahan has played a major role in leading the Bulldogs to the national round of 16 in 2019 and the national quarterfinals this spring.
Nordaker (Omaha, Neb.) burst onto the scene back in September when she was named the NAIA National Attacker of the Week. The Millard West High School alum was tabbed a second team All-GPAC award winner. Nordaker paced Concordia this season in blocks per set (1.2) and hitting percentage (.299) from her spot in the middle. She also totaled 218 kills (2.73/set). In the five-set national tournament pool play win over Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.), Nordaker notched a career high 25 kills to go along with six blocks.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad concluded the 2020-21 season at 18-5 overall and are likely to be ranked in the top 10 of the NAIA postseason coaches’ poll.