ORANGE CITY, Iowa – For the second-straight outing, the Concordia University Volleyball team found jubilation in a five-set triumph over a top 15 nationally ranked opponent. The 2021 Bulldogs managed to accomplish something the program hadn’t done since 2015 – win at Northwestern. Camryn Opfer put the cherry on top of a starring performance with the match-point kill. Concordia defeated the 14th-ranked Red Raiders, 19-25, 26-24, 17-25, 25-19, 15-8, in Orange City, Iowa, on Saturday (Oct. 30).
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad also knocked off No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan in five sets a week earlier. The latest victory will be a major boost to the national tournament hopes of the Bulldogs (13-10, 8-7 GPAC), who have clinched a spot in the GPAC tournament.
“We’re many parts, but we’re one body. It’s a full team effort for us,” Boldt said. “We threw some players in there who stepped up. We’re one team and that’s what we expect. I’m just really proud of their ability to stay consistent.
“Early in the match, Northwestern was a lot better serving and passing than we were. They were taking it to us. Late in the match we got a whole lot better. We were able to get them out of system. Anything can happen on any night in the GPAC.”
When things get tight, Concordia knows it can count on the likes of Opfer on the outside and Gabi Nordaker in the middle. Opfer pounded 21 kills (.314 hitting percentage) and piled up 11 digs. Meanwhile, Nordaker hit a smoldering .567 in the process of putting away 19 kills (in addition to six blocks). Once again, the Bulldogs made use of two setters in Tara Callahan (37 assists, 18 digs) and Bree Burtwistle (13 assists, 18 digs).
Down two-sets-to-one, Concordia had to dig deep while struggling to contain outside hitter Alysen Dexter, who floored a match high 26 kills. The Bulldogs hit .314 in the fourth set and .565 in the fifth set. Opfer was money in the bank during that stretch, striking for five kills in both the fourth and fifth sets. Boldt also called upon the likes of seniors Arleigh Costello and Morgan Nibbe, who helped provide a spark. Erica Heinzerling contributed seven kills while Costello and Carly Rodaway notched six kills apiece. Two aces each were dropped in by Burtwistle, Callahan and Lexie Kreizel.
The Bulldogs pulled off the win despite being outhit, .296 to .253. However, Concordia had slight advantages in blocks, 10-8, aces, 6-3, and digs, 73-72. The Red Raiders (16-9, 8-7 GPAC) got 16 kills from Bekah Horstman in the middle. Like the Bulldogs, Northwestern used a two-setter system, featuring Jadeyn Schutt and Olivia Granstra.
Boldt’s squad should be getting more comfortable in these situations. Concordia has played nine five-set matches this season. The past two victories were an important step in the growing process. The Bulldogs now have a shot to finish in fifth place in the rugged GPAC, which boasts six top 25 teams and two that are receiving votes.
Said Boldt, “I told our team at the end, we’re built for the fifth set. We’ve had plenty of them. It has not phased us lately. We’re battle-tested for sure.”
The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season on Tuesday when they welcome Hastings (14-13, 5-10 GPAC) to Friedrich Arena for a 7:30 p.m. CT first serve. In this season’s first meeting, the Bulldogs handled the Broncos in straight sets in Hastings. Hastings has scuffled of late, dropping each of its last five matches.