Omaha World-Herald news article
SEWARD, Neb. – A quartet of student-athletes from the Concordia University volleyball program raked in honors from the Omaha World-Herald, as announced on Saturday (Dec. 22). The media outlet tabbed four Bulldogs as honorable mention choices on its NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Nebraska college volleyball team. Head coach Ben Boldt’s squad was represented on the list by senior Jenna Habegger, junior Emmie Noyd and sophomores Tara Callahan and Marissa Hoerman.
A two-time second team All-GPAC performer, Noyd has been a reliable option in the middle during her collegiate career. The 6-foot-2 native of Shelby, Neb., set career highs this past season for kills (235), kills per set (2.67), blocks (92) and blocks per set (1.1). Among GPAC players, Noyd ranked seventh with a hitting percentage of .292. After a career best 23-kill performance in a win over College of Saint Mary on Sept. 4, she was named the GPAC Attacker of the Week. Over 271 career sets played, Noyd has totaled 570 kills and 245 blocks and has a .296 hitting percentage.
Callahan has been an honorable mention all-conference choice in each of her first two collegiate seasons. The 6-foot-1 setter from Brady, Neb., contributes in many ways. In 86 sets played this season, Callahan notched 566 assists, 76 digs, 65 blocks and 55 kills. One of her brightest moments this season was quarterbacking the Bulldog offense to a .216 hitting percentage in a narrow defeat at 12th-ranked Midland on Oct. 27. She posted a season high 46 assists in that match.
Habegger stepped up her game and enjoyed the best season of her career as a senior. The team leader in kills, Habegger set new career bests for kills (277), kills per set (3.04) and hitting percentage (.218) from her spot on the outside. Among GPAC players, Habegger ranked 10th in kills per set. Habegger floored a career high 17 kills in the Sept. 8 win over national tournament qualifier McPherson College (Kan.). Habegger completed her career with 546 kills and a .200 hitting percentage over 241 sets played.
This marks the first career postseason honor for Hoermann, who was named the GPAC Defender of the Week on Sept. 11. A native of Evergreen, Colo., Hoermann ranked seventh among GPAC players in digs per set (3.8). Her 32 digs in the win over McPherson were a career high. Hoermann also dropped in 14 service aces while playing in 94 sets this past season.
NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Nebraska college volleyball team
H: Allison Kuenle, Jr., Doane
H: Sage Meyer, Sr., Hastings
*MB: Priscilla O’Dowd, Sr., Midland
H: Shayla Scanlan, Sr., Bellevue
H: Lucy Skoch, So., Hastings
S: Olivia Galas, Fr., Bellevue
S: Jessica Peters, Sr., Midland
L/DS: Jaisa Russell, So., Midland
* — denotes honorary captain
Honorable mention: Bellevue: Sierra Athen, Andrea Carson, Madi Evans. Concordia: Tara Callahan, Jenna Habegger, Marissa Hoerman, Emmie Noyd. Doane: Alexis Dale, Sarah Klobuchar, Raeagan Petersen, Madison VanHousen. Hastings: Matti Dabovich, Clare Hamburger, Emily Lenners, Casey Krolikowski. Midland: Jenny Bair, Taylor Petersoen, Mackenzie Wecker. Nebraska Wesleyan: Kierra Harder, Cassidy Plooster. Peru State: Claire Cudney, Nadja Janjevic, Yorgelys Jaspe. St. Mary: Dani Carlson, Payton Robley, Augusta Sinclair. York: Molly Little, Kayli Riesgo.