SEWARD, Neb. – For the third time in four weeks, freshman Emma Brueggemann has garnered recognition from the GPAC. On Tuesday (Oct. 7), the league office named Brueggemann the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defender of the Week. The standout libero picked up the same award on Sept. 16 and 30. The latest honor is based on her performances in last week’s Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball wins over Morningside and Briar Cliff.
A Hebron, Neb., native and Thayer Central High School alum, Brueggemann played a major role in the second-ranked Bulldogs pulling out five-set road victories over the Mustangs and Chargers. In the matchup with Morningside, Brueggemann tallied 34 digs and two aces. The next day at Briar Cliff, she added 27 digs. Over the two outings, Brueggemann notched a combined 61 digs and 54 service receptions. The two foes were limited to a collective hitting percentage of .137. Brueggemann has risen to the top of the GPAC leaderboard for digs per set (5.20) this season.
Concordia (15-1, 8-0 GPAC) will put its unbeaten GPAC on the line this weekend as it hosts No. 7 Northwestern (16-3, 8-0 GPAC) at 8 p.m. on Friday and Waldorf (9-7, 1-7 GPAC) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
2025 GPAC Players of the Week
Oct. 7 – Emma Brueggemann (Defender)
Sept. 30 – Emma Brueggemann (Defender)
Sept. 23 – Ella Brueggemann (Setter); Ashley Keck (Attacker)
Sept. 16 – Emma Brueggemann (Defender)
Sept. 2 – Ashley Keck (Attacker)
Aug. 26 – Ashley Keck (Attacker); Lily Psencik (Setter)