Making its first-ever NAIA Volleyball National Championship appearance, the 16th-ranked Concordia University volleyball team came up agonizingly short in each set on Saturday afternoon.
Not since the 2001 NAIA football playoffs has Concordia University played host to a national championship event. That will change on Saturday when the Bulldog volleyball program welcomes Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) for the opening round of the 2015 NAIA Volleyball National Championship.
Featured StoryThe making of a national tournament volleyball team at Concordia did not happen overnight. The core of the first Bulldog squad ever to break through and reach the national tournament all arrived in the last two to four years.
The Great Plains Athletic Conference announced the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC All-Conference Teams Wednesday. Three members of the Concordia volleyball team have been named to the first team all-GPAC team while head coach Scott Mattera was named one of the tri-head coaches of the year.
For fans unable to attend the opening round of the 2015 NAIA Volleyball National Championships in person, Concordia University will be offering an opportunity to view Saturday’s match with Olivet Nazarene University via a pay-per-view webcast.
The Concordia University volleyball program’s historic 2015 journey will continue into the opening round of the NAIA Volleyball National Championships. On Monday the NAIA announced the Bulldogs as one of eight at-large teams and one of 36 total qualifiers in the tournament field.
The No. 17 Concordia volleyball team made its first GPAC Championship appearance on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Bulldogs faced the No. 8 Midland University Warriors in Fremont and were defeated in straight sets (25-20, 25-17, 25-16).
The No. 17 Concordia volleyball team is set to compete in the GPAC Championship match for the first time in program history. The final GPAC foe will be No. 8 Midland University and the match will take place Saturday, Nov. 14 in Fremont, Neb. at 3 p.m.
The No. 17 Concordia women’s volleyball team is heading to the GPAC Championship match after defeating College of Saint Mary Wednesday night, 3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-16, 28-26).
After defeating No. 17 Northwestern College, 13-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-21 last Saturday, the No. 20 Concordia volleyball squad will welcome the College of Saint Mary Flames to Walz Arena for a GPAC Semifinal match on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Featured StoryIt 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.
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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.
Featured StoryBree 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.
Featured StoryThree-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.
Featured StoryCamryn 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.
Featured StoryIn 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.
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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.
Featured StoryFour 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.
Featured StoryRanked 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.
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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.
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