Getz continues hot streak as Bulldogs down Dakota State

SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Paige Getz smoldered once again and the Bulldogs cruised to a 25-22, 25-17, 25-16 win over nonconference foe Dakota State University (5-22) inside Walz Arena on Friday night. The win continued Concordia’s dominance against teams outside the GPAC as it improved to 11-2 in nonconference matches. On the season, the Bulldogs moved to 14-9 overall.

“We got a win and we’re happy with that,” Concordia head coach Scott Mattera said. “The scores were probably about where they should have been, it just didn’t feel quite right often. We couldn’t find a flow.

“We did enough to win and that’s part of growing up as a team – figuring out how to win games when you don’t have your ‘A’ game.”

Getz got rolling in the second set in squelching any hopes that the Trojans had of a rally. The Paola, Kan., native totaled a match high 12 kills on 23 swings to lead an efficient Concordia attack that outhit Dakota State .206 to -.013 for the match. It was Getz’s fifth-straight contest with double-figure kills.

Getz says she’s hit her stride late in her first collegiate season.

“It was hard adjusting from high school to college, but I think I’m adjusted now and comfortable,” Getz said.

“(Tonight the key was) focus and energy and staying disciplined and doing what I had to do.”

The visiting Trojans, who entered play with a record of 1-9 against GPAC opponents, played competitively throughout the first set and actually led 3-0 at the outset. The Bulldogs finally took their first lead of the opening set with sophomore Claire White’s thunderous kill that made it 12-11. Freshman Tiegen Skains, who led both teams with four first-game kills, powered down set point to end the Trojan threat.

The freshman duo of Skains and Getz provided plenty of fireworks, hammering home several crowd-pleasing kills each. Skains pummeled a pass from freshman Alayna Kavanaugh so hard that the Dakota State dig attempt landed two rows into the bleachers, extending the Concordia lead to 7-1 in the second game.

Dakota State fought back in the second set and got back within 18-15, forcing Mattera to call a timeout. The Bulldogs then reeled off the next three points on the way to grabbing a 2-0 lead in the match. Getz put away six points by herself – all on kills – to steal the spotlight.

At times on Friday, a feisty Dakota State defense gave Concordia trouble.

“We didn’t get on any runs where it was clean over and over,” Mattera said. “You know what, Dakota State does that to you too. They don’t have any huge hitters but they’re smart with their tips and they put it in awkward places that make your transition game difficult.”

Getz got plenty of support from Concordia’s usual balanced effort on the attack. Junior middle Mariah Schamp posted 10 kills and Skains and White tallied eight apiece. That number gave Skains a career high.

In addition, Kavanaugh piled up 30 assists. Eight different Bulldogs had at least one dig, led by White’s eight. White also contributed three aces.

Concordia has now defeated Dakota State twice this season. Getz and company also put away the Trojans in three sets in a neutral site match on Sept. 6.

The Bulldogs remain at home on Saturday to take on Mount Marty (11-15, 0-9 GPAC) at 2:30 p.m. Concordia defeated the Lancers, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22, in Yankton, S.D., on Sept. 21. Mount Marty also played Friday night and defeated Presentation College (S.D.) in straight sets.

“They’re a vastly improving program,” Mattera said of Mount Marty. “They’ve got some athletes that can put the ball away so we’re going to have to step it up on Saturday.”