A historic season for Concordia Volleyball concluded on Thursday (April 29) as the Bulldogs were defeated by GPAC foe Dordt in straight sets. The program reached the NAIA quarterfinals for the first time ever.
For the first time in the history of the program, Concordia Volleyball is headed to the NAIA national quarterfinals. Camryn Opfer put away 19 kills in the victory over No. 7 Marian on Wednesday (April 28).
Every set was a nail-biter on Tuesday (April 27) as the 10th-ranked Concordia Volleyball team outlasted Lindsey Wilson in pool play action at the national tournament.
One of 24 teams left standing, the Concordia Volleyball team is getting set to play Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Marian (Ind.) as part of NAIA national championship pool play.
As announced on Sunday (April 18), the Concordia Volleyball team has been placed in an NAIA National Championship pool along with Marian (Ind.) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.).
After smooth sailing in the first two sets, the 10th-ranked Bulldogs found themselves in a battle in the NAIA Opening Round. Concordia persevered and advanced to the final site.
A hopeful return to the Tyson Events Center will first require a win in New Orleans. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs will be at Xavier (La.) on Saturday for an NAIA Opening Round match.
A trip to New Orleans for the NAIA Opening Round awaits the 10th-ranked Bulldogs. Concordia will take on Xavier (La.) on Saturday with a spot at the national tournament final site on the line.
The GPAC postseason run concluded in the semifinals for the 10th-ranked Bulldogs, who fell in four sets at No. 5 Northwestern. Concordia now awaits the national tournament announcement.
The GPAC tournament will continue on Wednesday when No. 10 Concordia plays at No. 7 Northwestern. The Bulldogs hope to avenge another one of their regular season defeats.
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.