SEWARD, Neb. – Sans 10 seniors from the historic national semifinalist team, Concordia University, Nebraska Volleyball showcased a restocked and reshuffled 2026 roster in Tuesday (Aug. 18)’s season opener with in-state York University. The Bulldogs put forth their best stretch of performances in the second set while taking care of the Panthers in three, 25-21, 25-12, 25-20, inside Friedrich Arena. Shandy Fa’ali’i hammered a match-high 14 kills in helping Concordia overcome 18 service errors.
It was simply a starting point for Head Coach Ben Boldt’s NAIA third-ranked Bulldogs. Boldt and company now know just a little bit more about themselves leading into a weekend full of tough tests.
“Every season has a different personality,” said Boldt at the outset of his ninth season. “Nothing is going to be the same. We’ve got to get cleaner and start to figure out exactly how people move together and all that kind of stuff. So, yeah, it was a little bit sloppy.
“We played around with a couple of different lineups tonight, and we'll take a look at the film and continue to make adjustments. I was really proud of how the team responded.”
Of the 14 Bulldogs that saw action on Tuesday, six of them made their collegiate varsity debuts. The crew included freshman setter Myla Emery, who orchestrated an attack that hit .295 with 46 kills for the evening. A junior pin hitter, Danica Martin needed only 13 swings to put away seven kills in her first taste of varsity volleyball. In polishing off the match, Wayne State College transfer Bella Hedke combined with Laynee Baker for a block.
In outing No. 1, Boldt tinkered with lineups while feeling out his new-look roster. A Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member, York clung to within 16-15 in the first set while making Concordia sweat. The Bulldogs got a pair of kills from Martin down the stretch and then a set-point kill from senior Maddie Paulsen to put it in the bank.
Plenty of others took their turn. Makenna Starkey notched seven kills and four blocks in assuming a starting role. Late in the contest, freshman Samantha Kimball got rolling and sophomore Ella Brueggemann landed three aces while starring during the second-set charge.
Said the Mayer, Minn., native Martin, “A lot of people who started last year obviously went off to do their other stuff, but we've had a lot of people who are ready to step up and play their game. Our team chemistry makes it such an easy transition. There are so many people who didn't play varsity last year, and we're just really meshing as a team and doing good things. I'm excited.”
As a team, Concordia held advantages of 46-16 in kills, 41-38 in digs, 5-3 in blocks and 8-4 in aces. The Panthers hit just .036 while up against 2025 GPAC Freshman of the Year Emma Brueggemann (12 digs), an anchor at libero.
Talent and athleticism abound for the Bulldogs. In his postgame remarks, Boldt was asked specifically about the likes of Fa’ali’i and Emery. Said Boldt of Fa’ali’i, “She jumps out of the gym and creates a lot. She's a very dynamic player. When she attacks, it's like, ‘Oh man, how are you going to stop that?’” Added Boldt of Emery (28 assists on Tuesday), “I thought she did awesome. I don't think that she plays like a freshman. I think that she's got a very high volleyball IQ.”
York was paced by Maria Del Mar Rivera’s five kills. Valentina Jimenz posted 12 digs in the back row. The Panthers finished last season at 13-21 overall.
A jampacked weekend awaits the Bulldogs, who will play four times at the Siouxland Invite (Aug. 21-22) held at the CNOS Fieldhouse in North Sioux City, S.D. Concordia’s match schedule for the event is included below. All four contests will be carried live by Baller TV and by 104.9 Max Country.
Siouxland Invite
· Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Nelson University (Texas), 10 a.m.
· Friday, Aug. 21 vs. Bethel College (Kan.), 12 p.m.
· Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. No. 5 Corban University (Ore.), 8 a.m.
· Saturday, Aug. 22 vs. No. 7 McPherson College (Kan.), 12 p.m.