SEWARD, Neb. – The expectation for the 10th-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team is to enjoy a lengthy postseason run. After a pair of nonconference spring matches, the third-seeded Bulldogs will host sixth-seeded Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday in the GPAC quarterfinals. This will mark the second-straight season that Head Coach Ben Boldt’s program has hosted in the conference quarterfinals.
GPAC Quarterfinal Match Info
(10) Concordia (14-3, 12-3) vs. Dakota Wesleyan (12-8, 8-8)
Saturday, April 3 | 3 p.m. CT
Friedrich Arena | Seward, Neb.
Webcast/Live Stats: Concordia Sports Network (fee required)
Radio: 104.9 Max Country
Commentator: Frank Greene
Tickets: https://www.cune.edu/athletics/tickets (also sold on site)
--Admission: $10 for adults/senior citizens, $3 for K-12; only those with NAIA passes and GPAC student ID’s will be admitted free of charge.
Fan policy: Friedrich Arena will welcome fans for Saturday’s match (up to 50 percent capacity). Per GPAC policy, fans are required to wear face coverings and are encouraged to distance themselves from other family groups.
By the numbers
· In action this spring, Concordia has defeated two ranked opponents: then No. 24 Ottawa University (Kan.), 25-14, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22, and No. 11 Grand View University (Iowa), 25-15, 25-19, 25-19. Over those two matches, individual leaders have included Camryn Opfer in kills (31), Tara Callahan in assists (79), Marissa Hoerman in digs (44) and Gabi Nordaker and Kalee Wiltfong in blocks (five apiece). Opfer posted a career high 21 kills in the home win over Ottawa.
· Three national coaches’ polls have been released this spring by the NAIA. In all three instances, the Bulldogs have landed at No. 10, which is the highest poll position in program history (previous high was No. 12 in 2000). Based on the current top 25, Concordia owns five wins over nationally-ranked opponents: No. 11 Grand View, No. 12 Dordt, No. 18 Midland (two) and No. 22 Ottawa. Seven of the 17 overall matches have been played against top 25 foes.
· Balance has been a theme during the program’s rise to national prominence. Over 17 matches this season, five Bulldogs have notched more than 100 kills: Kara Stark (162), Opfer (153), Nordaker (148), Arleigh Costello (142) and Wiltfong (129). In addition, four Concordia players have tallied at least 100 digs: Hoerman (261), Opfer (162), Tristin Mason (142) and Callahan (103). Collectively, they have helped the Bulldogs outhit their opponents, .223 to .153.
· Concordia has advanced to the GPAC tournament title match only once in program history (2015). Last season, the Bulldogs toppled Doane in four sets in the conference quarterfinals. They then lost a heart stopper in five sets (15-13 in fifth set) at Jamestown in the semifinals. During the GPAC era (2000-present), Concordia has advanced to at least the conference semifinals four times (also did so in 2001 and in 2014).
· On the NAIA national leaderboard, the Bulldogs rank 14th in kills per set (13.5), 19th in assists per set (12.3), 24th in hitting percentage (.223), 26th in aces per set (2.0) and 34th in blocks per set (2.1). On the individual NAIA leaderboard, Callahan ranks sixth in assists per set (11.1), Nordaker ranks 16th in blocks per set (1.16) and Mason ranks 37th in aces per set (0.49).
The opponent
Dakota Wesleyan is currently receiving votes in the NAIA poll. Head Coach Lindsay Wilber’s squad picked up a signature win on Oct. 17, 2020, when it outlasted Concordia in five sets. The Tigers will not have had an official spring match under their belt by the time Saturday rolls around. Dakota Wesleyan was defeated in straight sets by Jamestown on Nov. 3 back on Nov. 3 in its most recent action. The Tigers have received a big boost from leading attacker Ady Dwight, who was named the GPAC Freshman of the Year. Dwight was a first team All-GPAC selection while setter Madeline Else landed on the second team.
GPAC Semifinals
The Concordia/Dakota Wesleyan winner will advance to the GPAC semifinals and play either second-seeded Northwestern or seventh-seeded Hastings on April 7. The championship match will take place on Saturday, April 10. The highest seeds get the honor of hosting in each round.