SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Volleyball has turned the page to the month of October. A pivotal stretch of conference matches begins on Wednesday with a short trip to Doane before the Bulldogs return home to host No. 18 Dordt on Saturday. The program has designed Saturday as its senior day. The group of seniors will be honored prior to first serve of the varsity match.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Doane (16-5, 4-4), 7:30 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | 104.9 Max Country
Saturday, Oct. 9 vs. (18) Dordt (10-5, 2-4), 3 p.m.
--Webcast/Live Stats
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad had this past weekend off as part of a bye in the schedule. Most recently, Concordia (9-7, 4-4 GPAC) traveled to Fremont, Neb., on Sept. 29 and fell in another five-setter, this time at the hands of No. 3 Midland. The Bulldogs dominated the first and fourth sets while the Warriors had their way in the second and third sets. Concordia dropped the match despite outhitting Concordia, .269 to .221. The Bulldogs also had advantages in kills, 63-53, and blocks, 12-11. Four Concordia hitters reached double figures in kills: Camryn Opfer (17), Gabi Nordaker (14), Erica Heinzerling (13) and Carly Rodaway (10).
The senior group that will be honored on Saturday includes Arleigh Costello (Gothenburg, Neb.), Kayla Ernstmeyer (Lincoln, Neb.), Erica Heinzerling (Ankeny, Iowa), Morgan Nibbe (Red Cloud, Neb.) and Jadeyn Stutzman (Grand Island, Neb.). It should be noted that each of these Bulldogs are listed as juniors in terms of athletic eligibility. The class has been part of the program since the 2018 season and has helped Concordia to a combined four-year record of 67-32 with national tournament final site appearances in both 2019 and 2020. Their careers also coincide with the Bulldog coaching tenures of Ben and Angie Boldt. Costello was named Honorable Mention All-GPAC last season.
The five-setters have all gone the other way so far this fall. The 23rd-ranked Bulldogs have fallen in five sets at the hands of No. 3 Midland, No. 8 Bellevue University, No. 10 College of Saint Mary (twice) and No. 22 Columbia College (Mo.) (using the current national rankings). In both losses to CSM (17-3, 7-2 GPAC), Concordia had match-point opportunities in the fourth set. In other words, the Bulldogs’ overall record doesn’t properly indicate how the program continues to compete at a national level. Massey Ratings currently lists Concordia as the No. 20 team in the NAIA. The official NAIA coaches’ poll includes seven GPAC teams ranked in the top 25.
After losing in four sets inside Friedrich Arena on Sept. 15, Doane won four matches in a row, including an upset of then top-ranked Midland on Sept. 18. That run of success has put the Tigers just outside of the NAIA top 25 in the latest poll. Recently, the Bulldogs have had Doane’s number, winning each of the past seven series meetings. Senior Gabby Menghini has been the team’s go-to attacker. She has put away 241 kills while hitting .231. The Tigers are 2-3 this season against top 25 opponents. They are 3-1 at home.
Saturday’s battle with Dordt will be a rematch of last season’s NAIA national quarterfinal clash won in straight sets by the Defenders. Dordt enters the week with a four-match losing streak. Each of the losses have come against GPAC rivals with national rankings. The Defenders returned several key players from last season’s team, including First Team All-GPAC honorees in Brenna Krommendyk and Alli Timmermans. Dordt’s most recent trip to Seward was Oct. 19, 2019, with the result being a Bulldog win in four sets.
Next week’s schedule is shifted towards the weekend with Concordia set to host No. 1 Jamestown on Oct. 22 and No. 13 Dakota Wesleyan on Oct. 23.