2021 Preseason Polls: GPAC | NAIA
SEWARD, Neb. – The NAIA national poll streak for the Concordia University Volleyball program carries on into the 2021 preseason. In the NAIA preseason poll released on Wednesday (Aug. 11), the Bulldogs landed at No. 7. A day earlier, Concordia slotted in at fourth in the 2021 GPAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s program placed third in the GPAC in both 2019 and 2020.
After posting an 18-5 overall mark and reaching the NAIA national quarterfinals this past spring, the Bulldogs finished last season at No. 8 nationally (highest ranking in program history at the time). Concordia has now appeared in 12-straight NAIA national polls, including each of the six ratings released during the 2020-21 season. The No. 7 position in the preseason now represents a new program best. Boldt has led the Bulldogs to the final site of the national tournament in back-to-back campaigns.
Concordia possesses plenty of firepower with four of last season’s five All-GPAC honorees returning to the 2021 roster. That group includes Tara Callahan (first team), Gabi Nordaker (second team), Camryn Opfer (second team) and Arleigh Costello (honorable mention). Opfer also earned recognition as an NAIA National Championship All-Tournament selection while Callahan collected NAIA Honorable Mention All-America accolades for the second year in a row.
The GPAC is well-represented in the preseason rankings. The following GPAC foes garnered NAIA top 25 spots: No. 2 Jamestown, No. 3 Midland, No. 5 Dordt, No. 10 Northwestern and No. 23 College of Saint Mary.
The 2021 season will open up on Aug. 25 when the Bulldogs welcome Mount Marty to Friedrich Arena for a 7:30 p.m. CT first serve.
Concordia 2020-21 NAIA National Rankings
Feb. 3 – 10th
March 10 – 10th
March 24 – 10th
April 7 – 10th
April 12 – 10th
May 6 – 8th
2021 GPAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll
-First-place votes in parentheses
1. Jamestown – 115 (6)
2. Midland – 111 (6)
3. Dordt – 100
4. Concordia – 89
5. Northwestern – 87
6. College of Saint Mary – 62
7. Dakota Wesleyan – 60
8. Hastings – 55
9. Morningside – 48
10. Briar Cliff – 29
11. Doane – 25
12. Mount Marty – 11