SEWARD, Neb. – Given the current GPAC standings, this weekend’s matches are pivotal for the Concordia University Volleyball team. The Bulldogs will look to get back in the win column during their stay in Sioux City, Iowa, where they will play at Briar Cliff on Friday evening and at Morningside on Saturday afternoon. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad stands at 9-9 overall (4-6 GPAC) and has six matches remaining on the regular season slate.
This Week
Friday, Oct. 15 at Briar Cliff (7-14, 1-9), 7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, Oct. 16 at Morningside (10-15, 1-9), 3 p.m.
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Concordia is currently unranked for the first time since early October 2019, snapping a string of 15 NAIA poll appearances in a row. However, the Bulldogs did continue to receive votes (two spots outside of the top 25) in the NAIA coaches’ poll released on Wednesday. According to Massey Ratings, Concordia has gone up against the most challenging schedule of any team in the NAIA. Based upon this week’s top 25, the Bulldogs have played 11 matches versus ranked opponents: No. 6 Midland (twice), No. 8 Bellevue, No. 9 Providence (Mont.), No. 11 College of Saint Mary (twice), No. 16 Dordt, No. 17 Montana Tech, No. 19 Columbia (Mo.) and No. 23 Doane (twice).
The overall record doesn’t tell the whole story for Concordia, which has been right there with a chance to win in nearly every match this season. Seven of its nine losses have been decided in five sets. The Bulldogs have dropped four matches in a row, all in five sets with the fifth set scores ending at: 15-12, 15-13, 15-13 and 15-13, respectively. Nationally, Concordia ranks 14th in hitting percentage (.240) and 16th in kills per set (13.43). The individuals have posted at least 150 kills: Camryn Opfer (216), Gabi Nordaker (203) and Erica Heinzerling (151).
As a fifth-year setter, Tara Callahan is putting together another fine season. She ranks 17th in the NAIA with an average of 10.36 assists per set. With 4,384 career assists, Callahan is coming up on Alayna Kavanaugh (4,485) for the second most assists in program history (and most in the modern scoring system for college volleyball). In the middle, Nordaker is hitting a team best .349 (16th best in the NAIA) and was recently named the Bulldog Athletic Association Member September Athlete of the Month. Among current Bulldogs, Camryn Opfer’s 770 kills rank No. 1. As for the back row, it’s been a team effort. Four individuals have recorded 175 or more digs: Opfer (213), Cassidy Knust (198), Callahan (185) and Rebecca Gebhardt (175).
Briar Cliff’s lone GPAC win came at Morningside on Sept. 29. The Chargers are 2-6 at home (Newman Flanagan Center) this season. The team’s top attacker has been Chloe Johnson, who has racked up 187 kills from the outside. Briar Cliff returned two Honorable Mention All-GPAC performers from last season in libero Tannah Heath and middle hitter Sami Wasmund.
Morningside got its only GPAC win back on Sept. 8 at Briar Cliff (went 1-1 against each other). The Mustangs have gone 1-6 at their home venue, the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center. Morningside is hitting .158 while allowing its opponents to hit .187. The team’s top setter, Sabrina Creason, earned Honorable Mention All-GPAC recognition last season.
Concordia has won each of the last three meetings with Briar Cliff and has taken the past two matchups with Morningside. The challenging slate will continue next week with the Bulldogs hosting No. 1 Jamestown on Oct. 22 and No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan on Oct. 23.