NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. – Before classes have even begun, the Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball team has passed each test it’s faced thus far. On Friday (Aug. 21), the third-ranked Bulldogs showcased more polished on-court play compared to Tuesday’s season opener and quickly vanquished fellow 2025 national qualifiers Nelson University (Texas), 25-21, 25-21, 25-17, and Bethel College (Kan.), 25-20, 25-17, 25-21. Junior Danica Martin smoldered with 22 kills on 30 swings on day one of the Siouxland Invite.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad is halfway through the weekend event held at the CNOS Fieldhouse in North Sioux City, S.D. Concordia (3-0) will be back in action early on Saturday morning.
“We didn’t have as many service errors this time around, so that was really nice,” Boldt said. “When you come to early tournaments like this, we talk about ‘gritty over pretty.’ I just thought we stayed gritty. There were times when it wasn’t the cleanest, but as long as long as we keep the ball off the floor on our side and we get it down on the other side, that’s really all that matters.
“This is great training for the national tournament. We play more matches back-to-back than we do at the national tournament. This puts it into overdrive.”
Errors will happen at times for a Bulldog squad that is taking an aggressive approach at the service line. On Friday, Boldt credited the approach with helping slow down Bethel’s “fast middle attack” in the early afternoon contest. Freshman Myla Emery (five aces, two errors) and sophomore Jenna Sladky (five aces, one error) were especially effective in service. Four teammates also had at least three aces for the day – Shandy Fa’ali’i (four), Ella Brueggemann (three), Clara Evert (three) and Kyla Griess (three) – in helping set the tone for every other facet of the game.
A junior from Mayer, Minn., the 5-foot-11 Martin has roared out of the gate. Her connection with the freshman Emery has clicked. Martin went for 12 kills on 15 swings versus Nelson and then sprang for 10 kills on 15 attempts versus Bethel. She also added four blocks on the day. As a team, Concordia hit at least .225 in all six sets and out-killed its opponents by a commanding count of 92-49.
Said Boldt, “With the offense that we have, you have to defend the middle and the right. With that, it opens up some holes through the block. They found a really good tempo – Myla and Dani. Dani has really big hands. Wherever the ball is set, she can get a big palm on the ball and snap it wherever the block is not. She’s been ripping it lately. It’s really fun to watch that.”
The Lincoln East High School product Fa’ali’i led the way with 25 kills (4.17 per set) from her spot on the outside. Lanie Brott (13) and Makenna Starkey (12) also reached double figures in the kill department. Other team statistical leaders on Friday included Emma Brueggemann with 20 digs and Bella Hedke and Maddie Paulsen with six and five blocks, respectively.
A strong defensive effort saw the Bulldogs limit Nelson and Bethel to a collective hitting percentage of .148. Reigning NAIA kills leader Cameron Offerle of the Threshers was held to just five kills on 22 attacks. Bethel hit .265 in the opening set of match No. 2, marking the only set in which Concordia allowed a hitting percentage of greater than .200. In addition, the Bulldogs were strong at the end of sets, slamming the door after tight leads of 22-21 in the first set and 21-20 in the second versus Nelson and 22-20 in the first and 20-19 in the third versus Bethel.
Two more challenges await the Bulldogs at the Siouxland Invite. The action will resume at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday when Concordia will go up against No. 5 Corban University (Ore.) in a top five matchup. Then at 12 p.m., the Bulldogs will clash with seventh-ranked McPherson College (Kan.). Max Country (104.9 KTMX-FM) will carry the action live. Live video coverage is provided by Baller TV (subscription).