For the first time this season, the Bulldogs are coming off a loss. Concordia will attempt to bounce back while at Morningside at Tuesday. The Bulldogs will also step outside of conference play and take on Peru State on Saturday.
Emmie Noyd keeps on killin' it for a Concordia volleyball team that keeps on winning. Fueled by Noyd, the Bulldogs rallied after dropping the first set and knocked off No. 25 College of Saint Mary in four on Wednesday (Sept. 11).
A junior from Brady, Neb., Tara Callahan has been chosen as the NAIA National Setter of the Week. Callahan ranks No. 3 among all setters nationally in assists per set for an attack with the highest hitting percentage nationally.
GPAC play is about to heat up for the Concordia volleyball team, which still has something to prove within conference play. The Bulldogs will be at College of Saint Mary on Wednesday and host Midland on Saturday.
The Concordia volleyball team took care of business during its weekend stay at the Baker Invite. The Bulldogs closed week three of the season with wins over Haskell and Baker on Saturday (Sept. 7).
Freshman Kaylee Wiltfong had the hot hand as the Bulldogs remained unbeaten and topped Graceland in straight sets on Friday (Sept. 6). Wiltfong notched a career high 15 kills in the victory.
A win over No. 14 Hastings supplied further proof of Concordia's upward trajectory as a program. The Bulldogs moved to 8-0 while ending a series losing streak against the Broncos on Wednesday (Sept. 4).
After leading Concordia to three more victories, junior Tara Callahan picked up GPAC Setter of the Week accolades. Callahan ranks near the top of the NAIA in assists per game and led all players at the Bulldog Bash.
Still unbeaten at 7-0, the Bulldogs will put attempt to end a series losing streak against Hastings when the Broncos visit Walz on Wednesday. Concordia will also play three matches this Friday/Saturday.
After dropping the first set of the day, the Bulldogs were dominant the rest of the way while winning matches over Mayville State and Benedictine on Saturday (Aug. 31). Concordia is 7-0 heading into GPAC play.
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.