FOREST CITY, Iowa – The third-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball team took Waldorf’s best shot out of the gates before responding authoritatively. The Bulldogs stifled the Warriors to the tune of a -.035 hitting percentage on the way to victory, 26-24, 25-21, 25-18, in Forest City, Iowa, on Friday (Oct. 9) night. Afterwards, Concordia players celebrated with handmade “200” signs in recognition of a milestone win for Head Coach Ben Boldt.
Boldt has guided the Bulldogs to 12 consecutive wins and to 200 wins during his nine-year tenure that began with the 2018 season. Concordia stands at 9-0 in conference play (18-2 overall) this season.
“It’s just a long process, and the more you’re in it, the longer it goes,” Boldt said. “I’m very thankful for all the work this team has put in, as well as the teams before them. It’s been a fun ride.”
Before there could be any postgame celebration, the Bulldogs had to rise to the level of a Waldorf team that already owned a win over then 12th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan (on Sept. 23). Concordia looked out of sorts from a serve and pass perspective as it fell behind, 14-5, in Friday’s opening set. A Warrior attack error then put freshman Myla Emery on the service line, a spot she refused to leave until the Bulldogs had gone on an 8-0 run. Concordia eventually took the lead at 20-19 on a Makenna Starkey kill and later earned set point on a kill from Laynee Baker.
While Boldt would have preferred a cleaner outing, the Bulldogs’ performance defensively was sufficient enough to get the job done. Concordia stuffed 11 Waldorf attacks thanks largely to the efforts of four Concordia players with at least four blocks: Starkey (seven), Maddie Paulsen (five), Laynee Baker (four) and Bella Hedke (four). In the back row, Shandy Fa’ali’i (14) and Emery (10) both hit double figures in digs.
Said Boldt, “I thought our block was good against their outside hitter, No. 0 (Emily Goodner). She’s one of their leading hitters, and I thought Baker, Starkey, Maddie and Bella did a great job against her. It was about being physical at the net. We still have to get cleaner and better. We need to be sharp with calling the ball and doing all those little things.”
Too many out-of-system sequences played a role in Concordia hitting .171 for the night. The go-to attacker Fa’ali’i led the way with nine kills and was followed by eight from freshman Samantha Kimbell. In the middle, Baker (six kills on eight swings) and Hedke (five kills on eight swings) were especially efficient. Emery finished with 14 assists while Ella Brueggemann added 12. For a change, the Bulldogs had fewer aces (seven compared to nine) than their opponent.
With Northwestern looming on Saturday, Concordia was tasked with not looking past Friday’s match. Waldorf (11-7, 3-6 GPAC) got a match-high 10 kills from Goodner. As a team, the Warriors were limited to just 24 kills.
With an nine-year mark of 200-57, Boldt stands as the program’s winningest coach in terms of both overall wins and winning percentage. He’s been assisted for all nine seasons by his wife Angie Boldt, Associate Head Coach and 2025 NAIA National Assistant Coach of the Year. Late Friday night, the Boldts were more concerned about the next challenge. Said Ben, “We have to reset and recover. It’s a quick turnaround for the next game.”
With the first leg of the road trip in the books, the Bulldogs can now shift their full attention to Saturday’s showdown at second-ranked Northwestern (19-1, 9-0 GPAC). The two rivals have met in each of the past three GPAC Championship Matches. First serve of the varsity match is set for 3 p.m. CT in Orange City, Iowa, on Saturday. On Friday, the Red Raiders defeated No. 11 Midland in four sets.