2022 NAIA Volleyball All-Americans
SEWARD, Neb. – Three Bulldogs have represented the fourth-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team with 2022 NAIA All-America recognition. As announced by the NAIA on Friday (Dec. 9), All-America honors were awarded to Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer as second team selections and to Bree Burtwistle as an honorable mention choice. Opfer has moved up to the second team after garnering honorable mention in 2021 while Nordaker and Burtwistle are first time All-Americans.
Since coaches Ben and Angie Boldt arrived in Seward prior to the start of the 2018 season, the Concordia program has raked in a total of seven All-America awards. Nordaker and Opfer have reached the loftiest status during that timeframe by picking up second team awards. Emmie Noyd was recognized as an NAIA Third Team All-American in 2019.
Opfer has completed four phenomenal seasons as a Bulldog. The Seward High School product has been named first team all-conference twice and second team twice during a career that ranks her among the best players in school history. In 2022, Opfer totaled 320 kills, 404 digs, 49 blocks and 19 aces in 31 matches. In 118 career matches, Opfer has racked up 1,268 kills, 1,341 digs, 175 blocks and 63 aces. On the program’s all-time lists, Opfer ranks No. 5 for career kills and career digs. Opfer’s career national tournament totals of 195 kills and 231 digs both stand out as school records on that stage.
The Millard West High School alum Nordaker has starred as one of the NAIA’s best middles. She’s been chosen as a First Team All-GPAC honoree in back-to-back years. In 31 matches in 2022, Nordaker led the team in both kills (328) and blocks (114) while hitting .353. That hitting percentage ranks No. 8 nationally. In three seasons as a Bulldog, Nordaker has totaled 893 kills and 342 blocks in 85 matches (307 sets). Nordaker racked up 16 kills and hit .441 in the national tournament win over Hastings.
Burtwistle stepped into the role as the team’s primary setter in 2022 and thrived. The Stanton, Neb., native ranked No. 4 among all NAIA setters with an average of 11.21 assists per set. Burtwistle piled up 1,211 total assists while leading an attack that ranked second in the NAIA in hitting percentage (.255). Burtwistle was rewarded with Second Team All-GPAC accolades. She was twice named the NAIA National Setter of the Week in 2022.
Recent All-Americans
2022 – Gabi Nordaker (second team); Camryn Opfer (second team); Bree Burtwistle (honorable mention)
2021 – Camryn Opfer (honorable mention)
2020 – Tara Callahan (honorable mention)
2019 – Emmie Noyd (third team); Tara Callahan (honorable mention)