SEWARD, Neb. – A trio of representatives from the national qualifying Concordia University volleyball team were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association West Central Region Team, as announced on Thursday (Dec. 5). Senior middle blocker Emmie Noyd and junior setter Tara Callahan landed on the 14-member All-West Central Region team while freshman outside hitter Camryn Opfer was chosen as the Region Freshman of the Year.
Noyd has justified the honors she’s received with her play at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship. In national tournament victories over No. 19 Montana Tech and the University of Saint Mary (Kan.), Noyd has totaled 37 kills and nine blocks while playing like an All-American in the middle. Overall this season, the native of Shelby, Neb., has accumulated 383 kills and 124 blocks (both team highs) and is hitting .340. Noyd is also a three-time All-GPAC honoree. She was selected as first team all-conference this fall.
Callahan has taken a leap forward in her third collegiate season and has become one of the NAIA’s top setters. The 6-foot-1 native of Brady, Neb., joined Noyd with first team All-GPAC accolades. Over seven sets at the national tournament, Callahan has recorded 84 assists while directing an attack that hit .322 versus Montana Tech and .381 versus Saint Mary. On the year, Callahan has put up 1,219 assists and ranks ninth nationally in assists per set (10.79).
Also named GPAC Freshman of the Year, Opfer has established herself as one of the nation’s top rookies. The Seward High School product has been instrumental in leading the program to heights it had never reached before. On the campaign, Opfer needs just three more kills for 300 and six more digs for 300 in that category. She is hitting .216 and has at least 10 kills in 14 matches. Opfer has notched a combined 17 kills over the first two matches at the national tournament.
The 15th-ranked Bulldogs (25-6) will play their final pool play matchup at 6 p.m. CT on Thursday (Dec. 5). Third-ranked Indiana Wesleyan (35-2) will be the opponent. Concordia is aiming to clinch one of 16 spots in single-elimination bracket play that will begin on Friday.