SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Volleyball will take center stage on Friday, once the inauguration of Concordia University President Dr. Bernard Bull has concluded. The Bulldogs are getting set to host No. 1 Jamestown on Friday and No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday in a weekend full of opportunity. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad is coming off a weekend stay in Sioux City, Iowa, where it defeated Briar Cliff and Morningside in straight sets. Concordia (11-9, 6-6 GPAC) is currently tied for fifth in the GPAC standings.
This Week
Friday, Oct. 22 vs. No. 1 Jamestown (24-0, 12-0 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | 104.9 Max Country
Saturday, Oct. 23 vs. No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan (20-5, 9-3 GPAC), 4 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | 104.9 Max Country
NOTE: Saturday will be a pink out in support of breast cancer awareness.
There are nine GPAC teams either ranked or receiving votes in the most recent NAIA coaches’ poll. In other words, one of them will have to be the odd one out in terms of GPAC tournament qualification. The Bulldogs got a boost from their two wins over the weekend, which also helped shake the frustration of dropping four five-set conference matches in a row. Among the highlights in Sioux City, Iowa, Erica Heinzerling produced a combined 26 kills while hitting .328 from the outside and Camryn Opfer filled the stat sheet at Morningside with nine kills, 11 digs, four aces and three blocks. Concordia outhit Briar Cliff, .352 to .125, and Morningside, .256 to .076.
The overall record may not show it, but the Bulldogs have the ability to compete with anyone in the country. Heading into last weekend, the Bulldogs had played the most challenging schedule of any team in the NAIA, according to Massey Ratings. The team’s strength of scheduled dropped two spots after playing Briar Cliff and Morningside. Based on last week’s NAIA poll, the Bulldogs have played 11 matches against NAIA top 25 foes. Concordia fell into the receiving votes category of the Oct. 13 poll, ending a run of 15-straight top 25 poll appearances. Seven of the team’s nine losses have been decided in five sets.
Setter Tara Callahan has pushed her career assist total to 4,460. That figure puts her on the cusp of surpassing Alayna Kavanaugh (4,485) for the second highest assist total in program history. No. 1 on that list is Stacy Stuckenschmidt (4,949) who played from 1992-95, prior to the current rally scoring format (with sets one through four played until one side reaches 25 points). Regardless of statistical rankings, Callahan is most certainly one of the top setters ever at Concordia. Prior to 2021, she posted respective assist totals, by year, of 889, 566, 1,299 and 905.
Jamestown is the defending GPAC regular season and tournament champion and has not suffered a defeat since falling at the hands of Midland in last season’s NAIA national semifinals. Four GPAC opponents stand between the Jimmies and a perfect regular season record. Head Coach Jon Hegerle’s program returned two First Team All-GPAC performers from last season in right side Kalli Hegerle and Anna Holen. Jamestown has been dominant this season while outhitting its opponents, .305 to .087. Twenty-one of their 24 wins have come in straight sets.
Dakota Wesleyan has been a mover and shaker this season. After going 12-9 overall (8-8 GPAC) last season, the Tigers have put themselves in position to earn a bid to the national tournament for the first time since 1990 (and second time in program history). The biggest star of the show for Head Coach Lindsay Wilber’s squad is middle blocker Ady Dwight, who averages 4.15 kills and 1.16 blocks per set (.336 hitting percentage). Before heading to Friedrich Arena for Saturday’s match, DWU will be at No. 6 Midland on Friday. The Tigers swept GPAC weekly awards this week.
Following this week’s action, Concordia will wrap up the regular season with matches at No. 14 Northwestern on Oct. 30 and versus Hastings on Nov. 2.