A team full of experience on the national stage met the challenge of facing Hastings for a third time this season. Led by Gabi Nordaker (16 kills, four blocks), the Bulldogs defeated the Broncos in four sets in national tournament pool play.
A top program in the NAIA for what it has accomplished on the court, Concordia Volleyball also ranks as one of the best in the nation for what it achieves in the classroom. Eighteen Bulldogs have been recognized as 2022 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
A record number of Academic All-District awards, as selected by College Sports Communicators, has rolled in for Concordia Volleyball. The honors have gone to Bree Burtwistle, Rebecca Gebhardt, Camryn Opfer and Carly Rodaway.
Pool play at the NAIA Volleyball National Championship will get started on Nov. 30. As the top seed in Pool D, the fourth-ranked Bulldogs will be up against Hastings and No. 13 Park. Pool winners then advance to bracket play.
Pool play assignments for the national tournament are set. The fourth-ranked Bulldogs are the top seed in Pool D and have been grouped with Park University (Mo.) and Hastings. Action in Sioux City will begin on Nov. 30.
The Bulldogs were not about to be denied another opportunity at the final site of the national tournament. With the help of a dominant outing from Camryn Opfer, Concordia defeated Florida College in straight sets in NAIA Opening Round play.
For the second year in a row, both Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer have been named First Team All-GPAC selections. They were joined with all-conference honors by four teammates, including Bree Burtwistle and Carly Rodaway.
While making the program's fourth straight national tournament appearance, the Bulldogs will welcome Florida College to Friedrich Arena for opening round action. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19.
A spirited rally in the first set gave the fourth-ranked Bulldogs hopes of claiming the program's first GPAC tournament title. However, No. 2 Jamestown responded and won in four sets. Concordia sits at 23-5 entering the national tournament.
Concordia rides wins over No. 12 College of Saint Mary and No. 3 Midland into another GPAC championship matchup with Jamestown. The Bulldogs are making their third appearance in the GPAC final and second in a row.
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.