BELLEVUE, Neb. – The sixth-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team has successfully shrugged off Wednesday’s defeat at College of Saint Mary. Two days later, the Bulldogs claimed wins over two NAIA top 25 teams: No. 19 Oklahoma City University and No. 17 Montana Tech. Both matches were contested inside the Lied Activity Center in Bellevue, Neb., as part of the Bellevue Labor Day Classic on Friday (Sept. 3). Concordia dispatched of Oklahoma City in straight sets and Montana Tech in four.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s program has advanced to the level that it can play a stacked schedule and expect to get results. The Bulldogs have moved to 4-2 overall as they near the end of the second week of the regular season.
“We came out really focused today,” Boldt said. “I think the tough matches we’ve had the last couple times out made us tougher. They are helping us stay sharper from point 0 to point 25. In a lot of the matches before, we were up and just couldn’t hold the lead. We’re learning how to do that. We had players make plays. We made some great digs – it was just a complete effort from our team. We were mentally tougher.”
The opening set versus Oklahoma City set the tone for the day. Camryn Opfer got the afternoon started in style by pounding six kills on nine swings in the first set that Concordia won, 25-13, while hitting a sizzling .500. The Stars (2-2) buckled down and made things more interesting in the second and third sets, but the Bulldogs walked away a winner, 25-13, 25-21, 25-22. Opfer finished the match with 12 kills and three blocks. Concordia outhit Oklahoma City, .281 to .239.
A notable change was made to the lineup on Friday with the Bulldogs putting to use both Tara Callahan and Bree Burtwistle at setter. In her most extensive action yet in navy and white, Burtwistle notched 25 assists versus Oklahoma City and 24 against Montana Tech.
“We played ‘Burty’ in the front row and Tara in the back row,” Boldt explained. “Tara and Arleigh (Costello) have a really good connection that allows that to happen and Burtwistle and Gabi (Nordaker) have a really good connection. It just felt natural for those four to connect. This lineup allowed that to happen. We’re continuing to play with stuff. I thought this was a gritty, tough lineup. I’m proud of them for how they responded.”
Though a lengthy team, Montana Tech had no answer for the Bulldog middles in the night cap. Nordaker went off for 15 kills on 25 attempts with just one error (.560 percentage). In addition, Sara Huss collected nine kills and hit .500. From the outside, Opfer added 12 kills and 11 digs (one of four Concordia players with at least 10 digs). Erica Heinzerling chipped in with eight kills.
On another note regarding the first match, the Bulldogs landed 10 aces, including four from Cassidy Knust and three from Tatum Kuti. Knust has taken on additional responsibility as the team’s libero. She posted 19 digs on the day. On the attack, Opfer paced Concordia with 24 kills on Friday while Nordaker was right behind her with 23.
On the final day of the Bellevue Labor Day Classic, the Bulldogs will draw yet another ranked opponent as they prepare to take on No. 10 University of Providence (Mont.). The Argos (6-1) are 2-1 this weekend with loss coming at the hands of Doane. First serve is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Live stats can be followed by visiting Bellevue’s event page HERE.