The top-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team got better as the match went on while finding a flow and taking care of Doane, 25-18, 25-19, 25-13, on Wednesday (Oct. 18). Gabi Nordaker paced the Bulldogs with 12 kills and five blocks.
Rematches are on the way this week as the top-ranked Bulldogs will travel to Doane on Wednesday and then host No. 9 College of Saint Mary on Saturday. Concordia enters the week tied atop the GPAC standings at 10-1.
In a matchup between the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the NAIA, the Bulldogs saw their unbeaten ride come to an end. The Red Raiders won a tight first set and then rode its blocking advantage to victory in Orange City.
Following two pivotal GPAC home victories, two members of the top-ranked Bulldogs were honored with player of the week awards. Gabi Nordaker earned NAIA National Attacker of the Week accolades while Bree Burtwistle was also recognized by the GPAC.
Based on the most recent NAIA coaches' poll, the matchup between Concordia and Northwestern will feature the nation's Nos. 1 and 3 teams. The Bulldogs will carry a 17-0 record (10-0 GPAC) into Saturday's clash in Orange City, Iowa.
There were no signs of a letdown as No. 1 Concordia refueled with a little bit of Scooter's Coffee and showed plenty of energy in a straight sets win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday (Oct. 7). Gabi Nordaker produced 15 kills in the middle.
These were the moments Camryn Opfer and Bree Burtwistle came back to soak in. In a match dripping with hype, the top-ranked Bulldogs defeated defending national champ Jamestown in four sets in front of a raucous crowd on Friday (Oct. 6).
In a highly anticipated weekend of home action, the top-ranked Bulldogs will welcome defending national champion Jamestown and 2022 national quarterfinalist Dakota Wesleyan to Friedrich Arena.
The awards keep on coming for All-American setter Bree Burtwistle. The Stanton, Neb., native has collected her fourth GPAC Setter of the Week award in 2023. Burtwistle led the top-ranked Bulldogs to two GPAC wins last week.
A successful weekend in Sioux City was completed on Saturday (Sept. 30) as the top-ranked Bulldogs took care of Morningside in straight sets. As part of the win, libero Becca Gebhardt reached 1,000 career digs.
The process of seeing out a vision for Bulldog volleyball is ongoing for a program guided by head coach Ben Boldt. Concordia is working to embrace the motto 'this is us' and take ownership of everything good and bad.
Ben and Angie Boldt feel right at home on the volleyball courts of Nebraska. The husband-wife coaching duo got its start working as students for John Cook at Nebraska. The Nebraska foundation is their foundation.
The 2018 team's best run of volleyball came at the end of the season. That leap forward provided optimism that the program has truly embraced the #champsb4champs moniker. Concordia hopes to use it as a springboard.
Says head coach Ben Boldt of his team's early success, "I didn’t exactly know what the competition level was going to be like. We’re really just focused on ourselves right now and trying to be a better team."
It’s a fascinating new world for the Concordia University volleyball program, still working to identify itself in a new era. Head coach Ben Boldt is on the brink of making his debut as leader of the Bulldogs.
We wrap up the spring volleyball season with insights from head coach Ben Boldt on the changing dynamics within the program. The Bulldogs emphasized speed and urgency during the volleyball-filled spring.
Members of the Bulldog volleyball program say they're training like they've never trained before while embracing a new opportunity with head coach Ben Boldt. Said Tara Callahan, "Everyone’s a little fired up."
A native of Hickman, Neb., Ben Boldt is returning home to become head volleyball coach at Concordia. His wife Angie has also been named an assistant coach on the staff. Ben and Angie previously coached at Hendrix College.
A retooled Concordia volleyball program has hopes of a bounce back 2017 season. The Bulldogs will have a completely new identity after graduating a bevy of four-year starters. Head coach Scott Mattera enters his sixth year at Concordia.
With the help of a native of Frankenmuth, Mich., the Concordia volleyball team hopes to Baarck back in 2017. A transfer from Mott Community College will help lesson the blow caused by the graduation of an accomplished senior class.