GAME NOTES: Bulldogs and Warriors anticipate second meeting of the season
SEWARD, Neb. – The No. 17 Concordia Bulldog volleyball team will play on No. 4 Midland University’s home court in this GPAC meeting. The match will take place Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Fremont, Neb.
MATCH INFO
No. 17 Concordia University (19-5, 7-2 GPAC) at No. 2 Midland University (22-0, 9-0 GPAC)
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 7:30 p.m. CT
Site: Event Center | Fremont, Neb.
Webcast: Live Stream
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Last time out
The No. 17 Concordia volleyball team was edge by No. 21 Hastings College Wednesday, Oct. 7 in straight sets, 25-20, 28-26, and 25-18. Six different Bulldogs recorded at least three kills in the rematch from earlier this season. Then on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Concordia volleyball team came out victorious over Nebraska Wesleyan University in the homecoming match. The Bulldogs took three straight, 25-21, 25-17 and 25-22. Six different Bulldogs notched at least six kills in the GPAC contest.
In the rankings
For the first time since the preseason poll in 2001, the Concordia volleyball team was ranked in the NAIA Coaches’ Poll. Announced Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 18 in the nation after defeating three top 25 ranked teams this season. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the Bulldogs improved to No. 17.
As a team in the GPAC, the Bulldogs lead in total kills (1,168) and total assists (1,042), are ranked second in kills per set (13.7)and in assists per set (12.3), ranked third in services aces per set (1.8) and total service aces (152) and are tied for third in hitting percentage (.243).
Nationally, the squad ranks 14th in kills per game (13.74), 17th in total kills (1,168), 18th in assists per game (12.26), 21st in total assists (1,042), 22nd in hitting percentage (.243) and 32nd in total service aces (152).
Individual rankings in the GPAC
Annie Friesen: total blocks, tied for sixth (69)
Jocelyn Garcia: service aces per set, third (0.5); total service aces, second (42); digs per set, ninth (4.0); total digs, sixth (344)
Paige Getz: total kills, ninth (240)
Alayna Kavanaugh: assists per set, third (10.7); total assists, second (901)
Claire White: service aces per set, fourth (0.4); total service aces, tied for fourth (31)
National individual rankings
Jocelyn Garcia: total service aces, 19th (42)
Alayna Kavanaugh: total assists, 10th (901); assists per set, 11th (10.73)
Concordia vs. the top 25
In 2014 Concordia broke through with its first win over a ranked opponent since 2007. The Bulldogs wound up with three top 25 wins in 2014, making victims of No. 14 Oklahoma Baptist, No. 18 Hastings and No. 21 Dordt. Concordia went 3-7 overall against ranked teams last season. Five of those seven losses were against squads rated inside the top 10. This season, the Bulldogs are 4-2 vs ranked opponents after defeating No. 19 Hastings at home, 3-0, No. 20 Montana Tech University, 3-2 in Hastings, No. 24 Doane, 3-0 and No. 11 Northwestern, 3-2 on the road. The losses to ranked teams this season were to No. 4 Midland University, 0-3 and No. 21 Hastings College, 0-3.
Quotable
“We prepared really well, the girls had a really good mind set. We had a couple of great practices Thursday and Friday and we talked about what consistency looks like and overall, we played pretty consistent. There were some ups and downs but it wasn’t the wild swings of momentum…we played a pretty smart match overall.”
-Head Coach Scott Mattera on the win vs Nebraska Wesleyan University
Scouting the No. 2 Midland University Warriors
The No. 2 Warriors of Midland University have an unblemished 22-0 (9-0 GPAC) mark this season. The Warriors have dismantled its conference opponents only competing in three matches that have gone into more than three sets. MU ranks fourth in the nation in blocks per game (2.8) and eighth in total blocks (222). Individually Priscilla O’Dowd is fourth in the country in both total blocks (121) and in blocks per game (1.53). In 2015, the Warriors have put together a combined hitting percentage of .243 and hold its opponents to just .116 in the hitting column. Midland averages 12.23 assists and 1.58 service aces per game. The Warriors are led by head coach Paul Giesselmann who is in his sixth season at Midland University. Giesselmann is assisted by Nicole Venditte, Rod Richardson, Nate Mongan and Megan Farley.
Up next for the Bulldogs
Next week the Bulldogs will compete in three GPAC matches. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, College of Saint Mary will visit Walz Arena for Concordia’s Pink Night. First serve is slated for 7:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, the Bulldog squad will travel to South Dakota. Friday’s match will be at Dakota Wesleyan University and will begin at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday at 1:30 p.m., Mount Marty College will be CUNE’s foe.
