The current stretch in the schedule is a challenging one, but one that the Bulldogs have embraced. Concordia will play at No. 16 Doane on Wednesday before hosting No. 14 Northwestern on Saturday.
In defeat, junior Kelsey Baarck swatted nine kills on 13 swings to highlight the Bulldog efforts. Concordia ran into a hot Midland team, which won in straight sets (25-14, 25-22, 25-17) on Wednesday (Sept. 6) night.
An improving Concordia squad faces a tall task on Wednesday (Sept. 5) when it makes a road trip to play fourth-ranked Midland. The Bulldogs are coming off a 3-1 weekend at the Bulldog Bash.
The Concordia volleyball team completed a 3-1 weekend at its own Bulldog Bash by toppling both Missouri Southern State and York during Saturday's action. Alex La Plant powered down 27 kills on the day.
On the opening day of the Bulldog Bash, Concordia knocked off Chadron State College and then suffered a five-set defeat at the hands of University of Mary. Kelsey Baarck put down 15 kills in the win.
A tension filled upset bid of No. 20 Bellevue University ended in heartbreak for the Bulldogs. Concordia fell in five sets despite a career high 18 kills by Alex La Plant and 25 digs delivered by Jocelyn Garcia.
The Concordia volleyball program won't have to leave the confines of Walz Arena this week. All five of their matches will take place at home. The challenging slate includes 20th-ranked Bellevue and three NCAA D-II foes.
Freshman Anna Lund made a big impact after having her number called on Saturday. Thanks in part to her big performance, Concordia came away with a straight sets win over Avila University on Saturday (Aug. 26).
Though the Bulldogs came up empty in the win column, there were plenty of flashes of brilliance on day one of the Viking Invitational. In particular, sophomore Emmie Noyd dominated in the middle while totaling 24 kills.
Alex La Plant starred and many others contributed as the Concordia volleyball team earned its first victory of the 2017 season. The Bulldogs took care of visiting Bethany, 25-11, 25-19, 25-19.
It was another season of national prominence for Concordia Volleyball, which was led by a senior class that trusted the process throughout four years. The likes of Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer helped lead the Bulldogs to a No. 4 national ranking.
It's a transcendent class that has helped Concordia Volleyball reach heights it had never before seen. Collectively, the group has set a new standard while living out the program's values: love, hard work, sacrifice and trust.
Bree Burtwistle knew her time was coming. It just took some patience and persistence before she could burst onto the scene as one of the NAIA's best setters. A transfer in her third year as a Bulldog, Burt is soaking up a 2022 season of winning with her best friends.
Three-straight NAIA top 15 finishes lead the Concordia Volleyball program into a 2022 campaign that comes with high hopes. The Bulldogs believe they are primed to take things a step farther after back-to-back national quarterfinal appearances.
Camryn Opfer has continued to make a name for herself within the community she has always called home. The Seward High School alum has a habit of playing big in big moments for a Concordia Volleyball program that has grabbed the national spotlight.
In terms of the approach and the goals of the Concordia Volleyball program, not much has changed since the 2021 season ended in the national quarterfinals. The Bulldogs grew in confidence this spring while 'leaning in' in anticipation of the 2022 campaign.
In a season that came with its share of challenges, the Bulldogs never gave up while advancing to the national quarterfinals for the second season in a row. The 2021 Bulldogs earned the program's best ever final national ranking.
Four years was just not enough for Tara Callahan, who returned to the Bulldogs in 2021 to provide steady leadership and consistently excellent play on the court. Her journey has included many mountaintop moments and unshakable bonds.
Ranked seventh in the NAIA in the preseason, Concordia Volleyball is ready to follow up a national quarterfinal run this past spring. "GPAC championship level effort" is the expectation.
As disjointed and unique as it was, the 2020-21 season provided plenty of rewards for staff, players and supporters of the Concordia Volleyball, which finished ranked No. 8 in the NAIA.