SIOUX CITY, Iowa – One day after Morningside slayed No. 10 Midland, the top-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team avoided an upset with another efficient performance. The Bulldogs hit .296 in triumphing, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20, inside the Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center in Sioux City, Iowa. As part of the victory, junior libero Rebecca Gebhardt notched the 1,000th dig of her career.
The unbeaten ride continues for Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad, which has rolled to 15-0 (8-0 GPAC). The Sioux City tour included a win in straight sets at Briar Cliff on Friday night.
“We asked our team to come out and be aggressive, and I think we really did that,” Boldt said. “We came out and had a good run to start the match. That set the tone for what we want to do. I was really proud of our mentality.
“I thought it was a good weekend. We have to continue to get better. There are little things we’re always going to work on. I thought we served well and we blocked well. In the GPAC, you have to bring it every single time.”
Gabi Nordaker’s kill on the first point of the match initiated a 5-0 run. The fast start was a reversal from Friday when Concordia had to rally to take the opening set at Briar Cliff. To Morningside’s credit, it managed to get back within 20-17 in the first set – but the Bulldogs always responded affirmatively whenever it felt challenged. Set points throughout the day came via a kill from Maddie Paulsen in the first, a Bree Burtwistle ace in the second and a Carly Rodaway kill in the third.
Ashley Keck led the way with 11 kills (to go along with seven digs). The hot hitting right side Rodaway smashed 10 kills (.421) on 19 swings while Camryn Opfer and Paulsen contributed eight kills apiece. All-American middle blocker Gabi Nordaker posted seven kills (.400) and five blocks. Bree Burtwistle tallied 42 assists, 10 digs, three blocks and two aces while stuffing the stat sheet. The Norfolk, Neb., native Gebhardt finished with 13 digs, pushing her career total to 1,006. Gebhardt is a sometimes unsung hero in the back row and has been a constant on the floor since she arrived at Concordia.
Said Boldt of the milestone moment, “The whole team went crazy when she got that milestone. That was just awesome. It was a really cool moment. It was a hard-fought point and we won the point. It’s been awesome to see the camaraderie on the team. They really cheer for each other. It’s definitely special.”
Morningside (10-12, 3-5 GPAC) had the challenge of coming down from the high of defeating Midland in straight sets on Friday. Up against the No. 1 team in the nation, the Mustangs hit .148 with 37 kills. Two Morningside players hit double figures in kills: Payten Lode (11) and Sydney Marlow (10). Concordia has won each of the last five meetings with the Mustangs.
One of the more anticipated matches of the entire regular season is coming up Friday, Oct. 6 when the Bulldogs will welcome defending national champion Jamestown (15-5, 8-0 GPAC) to Friedrich Arena for a 7:30 p.m. first serve. Both sides will enter the clash with 8-0 conference marks. The Jimmies began this season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA and are currently listed at No. 14. As part of next weekend’s slate, Concordia will also host Dakota Wesleyan on Oct. 7.