GPAC Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – The preseason expectations have risen significantly from a year ago when the Concordia University Volleyball program was picked to finish eighth in the conference. The Bulldogs far exceeded that projection by finishing third in the GPAC in 2019. That is exactly where Concordia has been pegged in the 2020 GPAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll. It garnered 97 points in the poll.
Head coach Ben Boldt is gearing up for year three of his tenure leading the Bulldogs, along with his wife and lead assistant Angie Boldt. Concordia returns plenty of firepower with four of its five 2019 All-GPAC performers back in the fold – setter Tara Callahan (first team), outside hitter Camryn Opfer (second team), defensive specialist Marissa Hoerman (honorable mention) and outside hitter Kara Stark (honorable mention). Collectively they helped Concordia to a 25-8 overall record and a spot in the NAIA national round of 16 (a first in program history).
It does not appear there will be an NAIA preseason poll prior to the start of competition this fall. The Bulldogs almost certainly would have appeared in the top 25 after finishing last season at No. 14 in the postseason poll. Boldt’s team has been practicing since Aug. 15 in preparation for one of the more highly anticipated volleyball seasons ever at Concordia.
The team’s motto for this season is little things. Explains Boldt, “We are doing our best as a team to define that right now. For me it is figuring out at the core who you are. Who are you when nobody is watching? Are you going to go all the way to a line on a rep? Are you going to finish your move or are you going to reach out to a teammate when they are having an off practice? All those things when you add them up can really put you in positions to have big moments. When we break down huddles as a group, I say little things and the team says big moments.”
First serve of the 2020 campaign is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 5 when Baker University (Kan.) will be at Walz Arena.
2020 GPAC Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll
*First-place votes in parentheses
1. Northwestern – 117 (9)
2. Jamestown – 102 (2)
3. Concordia – 97
4. Midland – 92 (1)
5. Dordt – 85
6. College of Saint Mary – 70
7. Morningside – 55
8. Hastings – 48
9. Doane – 41
10. Dakota Wesleyan – 36
11. Briar Cliff – 32
12. Mount Marty – 17