SEWARD, Neb. – An anticipated GPAC showdown looms for the sixth-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team, which has played each of its past five matches against nationally ranked opponents. The Bulldogs will host No. 3 Midland on Wednesday evening before heading to the Baker University Invite for a trio of matches to be contested on Friday and Saturday in Baldwin City, Kan. Concordia will draw yet another ranked foe in the form of No. 18 Ottawa University (Kan.).
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 8 vs. (3) Midland (13-0, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | 104.9 Max Country
Sept. 10-11: Baker Invitational – Baldwin City, Kan.
Friday, Sept. 10 vs. Columbia (7-4), 7 p.m.
--Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. (18) Ottawa (1-3), 1 p.m.
--Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. Missouri Valley (4-6), 7 p.m.
--Live Stats
Note for fans: Effective Sept. 1, Concordia University began requiring face coverings in indoor venues. The mandate applies to Friedrich Arena. Fans can purchase advance tickets online HERE or on site on game days.
In last week’s action, the Bulldogs went 2-2 with the wins coming over No. 19 Oklahoma City University (straight sets) and No. 17 Montana Tech (four sets) while the losses came at the hands of No. 23 College of Saint Mary (five sets) and No. 10 University of Providence (Mont.) (straight sets). Concordia was inches away from going 3-1 last week having missed out on an opportunity to close out a victory at College of Saint Mary in four sets. The Bulldogs put up hitting percentages last week of .213, .281, .215 and .218, respectively.
Statistical leaders over last week’s four outings included Camryn Opfer (47 kills), Gabi Nordaker (.322 hitting percentage), Tara Callahan (114 assists), Arleigh Costello (nine blocks) and Cassidy Knust (47 digs and six aces). In addition, Erica Heinzerling saw increased playing time on the outside and delivered 37 kills while hitting .196. Bree Burtwistle also saw reps at setter and produced 63 assists and Knust was given the libero jersey.
On the national leaderboard, Concordia ranks 17th in hitting percentage (.251) and 19th in kills per set (13.46). The balanced Bulldog attacking lineup features five players with more than 40 kills this season: Opfer (79), Nordaker (68), Costello (60), Heinzerling (42) and Sara Huss (42). Nordaker is hitting .371 on the season.
After making a run to the national championship match this past spring, Midland has been impressive so far this season. The Warriors are 13-0 with five wins over top 25 opponents, including No. 1 Missouri Baptist University, No. 4 Park University (Mo.) and No. 9 Viterbo University (Wis.). Among all NAIA teams, Midland ranks seventh in kills per set (14.29) and 11th in hitting percentage (.260). In last week’s action, Head Coach Paul Giesselmann’s squad earned wins over Mount Marty, Life University (Ga.), Park, William Jessup University (Calif.) and Columbia while posting hitting percentages of .404, .275, .311, .236 and .248, respectively. The Bulldogs have won the last three series meetings with the Warriors.
As part of the weekend slate at the Baker Invite, Concordia will take on an Ottawa University (Kan.) program that it saw back in the spring and defeated in four sets. Columbia College (Mo.) received votes in the most recent NAIA coaches’ poll. The matches in Baldwin City will wrap up the nonconference regular season schedule. It will be GPAC matches only from Sept. 15 through Nov. 2.
In next week’s conference play, the Bulldogs will host Doane on Sept. 15 before heading to Hastings on Sept. 18.