SEWARD, Neb. – Tension filled the final moments of the first and third sets in a characteristically spirited matchup between Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball and rival Midland. In their GPAC semifinal victory, the Bulldogs shook off a downer in the first set, survived a harrowing third set and defeated the Warriors, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20, inside Friedrich Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 12). Concordia pin hitters Ashley Keck and Ella Waters combined for 39 kills.
Coaches Ben and Angie Boldt have led the program back to the GPAC Championship Match for the fifth consecutive season. The Bulldogs (24-2) have taken down Midland for the third time in 2025.
“I thought we earned it,” Boldt said. “We earned our points – I thought we won the serve and pass game, which is not easy to do against Midland. They are a really good serving team. It was a gritty performance. It wasn’t always super clean, but we buckled down and put it away when we needed to.”
An ability to stay in system paved the way once again for the All-American Keck to feast. She’s on some kind of heater. The Kearney, Neb., native scorched the Warriors for 22 kills on 50 swings (to go along with 23 digs) – four days after she dropped the hammer on Morningside with 22 kills in a three-set match. On the opposite pin, Waters heated up as the night went along and finished with 17 kills on 39 attacks (.333). Waters put an exclamation point on the match with six kills in the final set.
Concordia hit .281 for the match as the setter-hitter dynamics continue to gel. Senior Savannah Shelburne put together a fine evening with 34 assists, 11 digs and two aces. Shelburne and fellow setter Lily Psencik (20 assists) effectively found the hot hand. Senior Kya Scott added eight kills, including a clutch one for set point in the third.
Said Shelburne, “Throughout the season, we’ve worked very hard on connections and out-of-system stuff. I think Ashley and I have a great connection. Molli (Martin) and I have a great connection – Ava (Greene), Kya, Ella – everyone on the court, I have 100 percent trust in.”
However, not everything was smooth sailing while up against the 20th-ranked Warriors (the GPAC’s No. 3 seed). Midland came back from a 21-17 deficit to steal the first set. Point Nos. 24 and 25 both came on Lauren Jones kills. Midland nearly pulled a rabbit out of its hat in the third set, notching five points in a row to make it 24-24. An attack error followed by Scott’s kill allowed Bulldog fans to breathe a sigh of relief. As Boldt would say later, the Warriors capitalized on some advantageous serve and pass situations.
Said Boldt, “As the game went on along, it was us figuring it out. That’s how it has been against Midland this entire year. You go in with a game plan and you have to adjust. The team that does that is usually the one that’s going to be earning points.”
Midland (18-10, 12-4 GPAC) is essentially a lock for an at-large berth into the national field. The Warriors got 12 kills from Brooklyn Snyder and 11 from Abree Plueger on Wednesday. Midland hit .199 as a team.
In other noteworthy efforts, three Bulldogs produced three blocks apiece: Greene, Martin and Waters. Greene and Maddie Paulsen chipped in five blocks apiece. Libero Emma Brueggemann posted 13 digs. Shandy Faalii got into the act with three kills. Keck and Kate Griess equaled Shelburne in the ace department with two apiece.
Another heavyweight showdown between Concordia and No. 3 Northwestern (27-3) is up next on the docket. The two sides will battle for the GPAC postseason championship in Orange City, Iowa, at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday. The same matchup also occurred in the 2023 and 2024 GPAC Championship matches with the Red Raiders coming out on top in five sets in both instances. Said Boldt of the opportunity in front of his team, “In order to win a GPAC championship, you have to put yourself in that position. We’re really looking forward to the match.”