SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University volleyball team will have already played seven home matches by the time the second week of classes comes to a close. This week’s hectic slate includes a visit from 20th-ranked Bellevue University on Wednesday prior to the start of the Bulldog Bash on Friday. This year’s Bulldog Bash is bigger than ever with 13 varsity matches set to take place during the two-day event (Sept. 1-2).
This week’s schedule
Wednesday, Aug. 30 vs. No. 20 Bellevue University, 7 p.m.
Bulldog Bash
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Chadron State College, 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. University of Mary, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Missouri Southern State University, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. York College, 5:30 p.m.
*View the complete Bulldog Bash schedule HERE.
Sixth-year head coach Scott Mattera and his squad feels like they figured some things during their stay at the Viking Invitational (Aug. 25-26) at Missouri Valley College. After suffering a straight sets loss to Ottawa University, Concordia regrouped with a strong showing in a four-set loss to Missouri Valley and then breezed past Avila University on the final day of the invite. Sophomore Emmie Noyd flourished in the middle. She put down 33 kills on 61 swings over the weekend. Her hitting percentage for the week was an impressive .479.
The back row received a shot in the arm with the return of senior Jocelyn Garcia for the Ottawa match. Garcia didn’t miss a beat. She racked up 37 digs over seven sets of action and was perfect in serve receive. Garcia has pushed her career digs total to 1,384. Other notable performances were turned in by junior Jenna Habegger (24 kills on 64 swings at Viking Invite) and freshman Anna Lund (six kills and six blocks versus Avila), who stepped in and teamed with Noyd in the middle.
This week’s slate offers no opportunity for a letdown. The nationally-ranked Bruins (2-2) reached the national tournament last season and dealt the Bulldogs a decisive loss in 2016 (25-21, 25-14, 25-15). Concordia will then play a trio of NCAA Division II opponents at the Bulldog Bash: Chadron State (7-20 in 2016), Mary (9-20 in 2016) and Missouri Southern State (6-25 in 2016). All three NCAA schools are opening their seasons this weekend in Seward. Concordia will also host York (1-4) in its final match at the Bulldog Bash.
The first 100 students to attend Wednesday’s match versus Bellevue will receive a ticket voucher that will be good for a free T-shirt handed out after the second set has been completed.
This week serves as a prelude to the start of conference play on Sept. 6 when the Bulldogs will play at fourth-ranked Midland (4-3). It will be Concordia’s lone match next week.
All of this week’s home matches will be streamed live via the Concordia Sports Network. The radio home of Bulldog athletics, 104.9 Max Country, will broadcast each of this week’s contests with the exception of the final match at the Bulldog Bash. Live stats will be available for select matches (see THIS LINK).