FREMONT, Neb. – Different Bulldogs took turns rising to the occasion on Saturday (Oct. 24) as the third-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball team earned a season sweep of rival Midland. Reigning GPAC Setter of the Week Myla Emery scorched the 14th-ranked Warriors from the service line in what amounted to a 25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, road victory. Emery also helped spur senior middle Bella Hedke to a stellar performance with 10 kills and four blocks.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s program has won each of its last eight matchups with Midland. The Bulldogs improved to 21-3 overall (12-1 GPAC) with three matches remaining in the regular season.
“I'm really proud of the response and the people who stepped up,” Boldt said. “Lanie Brott was one of those players who came through down the stretch in the third set. We know we can rely on those people in tough moments, so it was a good response … Having Myla come in and really lock in with her hand contact on the ball and her serve really set the tone for that fourth set. I also think Sammy Kimbell had kind of a reset. She had a couple of tough plays at the end of the third, and we asked her to continue to compete.”
Whatever momentum the Warriors built by winning Saturday’s third set quickly evaporated at the start of the fourth set. Concordia roared to a 7-0 run that featured three aces from the freshman Emery (who finished with five aces in the match). During the spurt, Hedke joined the fun with a pair of kills. The Bulldogs hit a blistering .483 in the fourth set while running away with their fifth win this season over a ranked opponent. Concordia outhit Midland, .273 to .193.
The setter duo of Emery (29 assists) and Ella Brueggemann (17 assists) worked the middles and right sides effectively as Hedke hit .500 while Maddie Paulsen (.429; eight kills) and Makenna Starkey (.412, nine kills) both batted above .400. Defensively, Starkey, Hedke and Laynee Baker each contributed to at least four blocks apiece. The Bulldogs enjoyed a slight edge in team blocks, 10-9.
Said Boldt, “We want that to be part of our team's identity: being physical and tough. When you get stuff blocks, it reinforces that. We give our players a lot of feedback when it comes to blocking, and when it really works, I think they get pumped up. It's a positive feedback loop. When you get those stuff blocks, there's a lot of positive energy that comes with them. We still have to stay disciplined. There were a couple of times when I thought we got frantic with our block and they hit the ball off it.”
Shandy Fa’ali’i turned in 12 kills, nine digs and one ace on the day. Both Jenna Sladky (17) and Emery (11) reached double figures in digs. While Emery served bullets, Kyla Griess (three) and Sladky (two) also notched multiple aces. Concordia’s advantage was 12-8 in aces.
Midland (17-9, 8-5 GPAC) took a hit in its bid for a top three finish in the final GPAC standings. The Warriors were led by 12 kills from Brooklynn Snyder on Saturday. Avery Couch added five blocks while Eme Myers topped all players with 19 digs.
The final road match of the regular season will take place on Wednesday when the Bulldogs invade Lynn Farrell Arena. First serve of the varsity match with Hastings (16-6, 8-5 GPAC) is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT. Back on Sept. 19, Concordia held off the Broncos in five sets.