SEWARD, Neb. – Not long after making a run to the NAIA national quarterfinals, the Concordia University Volleyball program has announced the release of its 2021 varsity and junior varsity schedules (unveiled on June 3). The varsity slate features a total of 21 regular season game days, including five that involve nonconference tournaments or classics. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad will open up the new campaign at home with a battle against conference foe Mount Marty on Aug. 25.
The Bulldogs are coming off a season that saw them go 18-5 overall and land at No. 8 in the NAIA postseason coaches’ poll. Concordia also placed third in the GPAC (12-3 conference mark) and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament. Five Bulldogs were recognized as All-GPAC performers: Tara Callahan (first team), Camryn Opfer (second team), Gabi Nordaker (second team), Arleigh Costello (honorable mention) and Marissa Hoerman (honorable mention).
After a rare two-part 2020-21 season, things should be back to normal this fall. Concordia will remain at home in late August while hosting the Bulldog Bash on Aug. 28. The event will feature Bulldog matchups with Baker University (Kan.) and Bellevue University. In return, Concordia will also take part in weekend events at Bellevue (Sept. 3-4) and at Baker (Sept. 10-11).
Conference play alone provides plenty of challenges. The GPAC staked its claim as the top volleyball league in the NAIA this past season by putting five teams in the national quarterfinals. An anticipated match will take place early in the season when the Bulldogs host Midland (2020 national runner up) on Sept. 8. In addition, Concordia will get defending GPAC champion Jamestown at home on Oct. 22.
The conference tournament dates are set for Nov. 6 for the quarterfinals, Nov. 10 for the semifinals and Nov. 13 for the championship match. The NAIA National Championship Opening Round is slated for Nov. 20 with action at the final site (Sioux City, Iowa) set to run from Nov. 30 – Dec. 4.