CRETE, Neb. – The most recent trip to the Haddix Center had ended with a five-set defeat. Not this time. The eighth-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team shook off a five-point deficit in the third set on Wednesday (Sept. 14) and completed a sweep of host Doane, 25-18, 25-22, 25-19. As highlights for the visitors, the Bulldogs improved their service game from a week earlier and the combination of Gabi Nordaker and Kalee Wiltfong proved lethal in the middle.
Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad had been off this past weekend on the heels of an intense five-set match last week at Midland (now ranked No. 1). Concordia (11-1, 2-1 GPAC) still has just one blemish on the season record.
“Anytime we come here it’s a rivalry-type match,” Boldt said. “Their students created a great environment. We have to make sure we’re focused. I was really happy we were up to the challenge. I thought we served the ball much better than we did the last match. Our word for the night was ‘courage.’ You saw Kennedy (VanScoy) make a great run at the end of the night. It was everything we’ve been training for. Go back there and have no fear. That’s what we did at the end.”
In the process of keeping Doane (4-11, 0-4 GPAC) winless in conference play, the Bulldogs missed only three serves and outhit the home team, .314 to .167. Just when the opposition makes an adjustment to limit one of Concordia’s attackers, the others rise up. The setting combination of Bree Burtwistle (32 assists) and Bree Green (seven assists) helped Nordaker (11 kills, .556 hitting percentage) and Wiltfong (eight kills, .538 hitting percentage) enjoy a field day. That duo also contributed significantly to the team’s 12-6 block advantage.
The most adversity the Bulldogs faced happened in the third set with Doane leading 15-10. Boldt made a lineup adjustment that featured Shelby Stark, who responded with two kills and three blocks. Concordia went on to dominate the remainder of the set, which concluded with a Tiger error. The Bulldogs overcame a match high 12 kills from Doane outside hitter Kirsten Bures.
Said Boldt, “I thought our middles played really well. It’s been a focus of ours to make sure they’re getting themselves in good positions to attack, which means they really have to work hard to get off the net so they can have a big approach into the ball … Cam (Opfer) was really ripping the ball, especially early in the match. They had to adjust. She’s so steady and had a great game too.”
Opfer collected 10 kills, eight digs and two blocks for the match. In addition, Ashley Keck supplied eight kills and Carly Rodaway added five. Ashlyn Wischmeier landed two aces while Rebecca Gebhardt topped Concordia with 12 digs. Concordia has won eight of the last nine meetings with Doane.
The Tigers have also dropped GPAC matches to Midland, Mount Marty and College of Saint Mary. Doane finished the 2021 season at 19-14 overall (6-10 GPAC) and received votes nationally in the 2022 NAIA preseason poll.
As part of homecoming Saturday in Seward, the Bulldogs will host No. 13 College of Saint Mary (13-0, 3-0 GPAC) at 4 p.m. CT. The most recent matchup between the two sides was a memorable battle that ended with Concordia triumphing in five sets in the 2021 GPAC tournament semifinals played in Omaha. All three meetings last season were decided in five sets.