SEWARD, Neb. – This was simply the latest example of how the Concordia University Volleyball team zeroes in on each match, no matter the opponent’s record. The fifth-ranked Bulldogs used a .315 hitting percentage and seven blocks in the process of making it an early night, 25-16, 25-16, 25-14, in Wednesday (Oct. 26)’s matchup with visiting Mount Marty. The Concordia program hosted its “pink out” in support of breast cancer awareness as part of the evening’s festivities.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad moved to 20-3 overall (11-3 GPAC) while retaining third place in the conference standings with two matches left in the regular season. The Bulldogs also bumped their home win streak to 12.
“I thought our focus was good,” Boldt said. “We need to continue to diversify our offense and run some different things. I thought early in the match they were getting kills off of our blocking hands. That was the challenge I gave them after that first timeout in the first set: let’s limit their kills off our hands. That’s always something that establishes what your defense is – we’re going to continue to work on that.”
The attack surely was diversified in terms of the way hitting opportunities were dispersed. Three Concordia players notched at least 10 kills: Camryn Opfer (12), Gabi Nordaker (11) and Morgan Nibbe (10). Nibbe smoldered in the middle while hitting .643 (one error in 14 attacks). On the outside, Ashley Keck posted seven kills. NAIA National Setter of the Week Bree Burtwistle racked up 34 more assists.
The Bulldogs were not seriously challenged in any of the three sets. The Lancers managed to make a bit of a push in the opening set when they closed within 16-14. With Opfer serving, Concordia went on a 6-0 run that helped set the tone for the rest of the evening. Defensively, the Bulldogs were solid in their blocking and also amassed 55 digs, including a team high 16 from libero Rebecca Gebhardt. Mount Marty (6-18, 1-13 GPAC) was held to an .095 hitting percentage. Nordaker registered three block solos (five total blocks) in leading the charge at the net.
A fifth-year member of the program, Nibbe is taking full advantage of her opportunities. Said Boldt, “I think Morgan Nibbe’s done a good job of making herself available, and I thought she kept the ball in front of her. It allowed her to hit different shots tonight.”
The Red Cloud, Neb., native Nibbe has been part of a transformation inside the program. Nibbe came back to be part of something special. Said Nibbe, “It’s always been the girls that I’ve done it for – that’s the reason I came back. These girls are something special. I’ve never had a team like this come together before. It’s almost come full circle. It’s really amazing.”
Mount Marty got a team high eight kills from Alexis Kirkman. As a team, the visitors from Yankton, S.D., posted six blocks. The Lancers’ lone GPAC win this season came over Doane back on Sept. 7.
The final road match of the regular season will come on Saturday with the Bulldogs headed to Hastings (19-10, 8-6 GPAC) for a 1 p.m. CT varsity clash with the Broncos. The two sides met in Seward on Aug. 31 when Concordia came away with a 25-20, 25-20, 25-12, victory. The Bulldogs have gone 5-3 this season in true road matches.