It was a fight to the finish on Wednesday (Sept. 7) as the 10th-ranked Bulldogs were ultimately defeated in five sets by No. 2 Midland. Concordia (10-1, 1-1 GPAC) got big production from Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer.
Two top-10 ranked teams with GPAC championship aspirations will go head-to-head in Fremont on Wednesday night. Head Coach Ben Boldt's squad is 10-0 following a five-win week that featured a rout of No. 9 Viterbo.
The firepower of 10th-ranked Concordia proved the difference as it defeated both Dakota State and Evangel in four sets in North Sioux City on Saturday (Sept. 3). The Bulldogs have started 10-0 for the fourth time in the GPAC era.
It was an impressive day of work for the 10th-ranked Bulldogs, who took care of both No. 9 Viterbo and Presentation in straight sets as part of the Labor Day Classic in North Sioux City. Camryn Opfer surpassed 1,000 kills in her career.
After Hastings came out strong early, the 10th-ranked Bulldogs responded with a flurry that resulted in a win in straight sets. Five Concordia hitters notched at least seven kills and the Bulldogs held the Broncos without a single ace.
Five matches are coming up in a hectic week that will challenge the 11th-ranked Bulldogs. The slate features the GPAC opener with Hastings and four contests at the CSM Labor Day Classic in North Sioux City.
Rebecca Gebhardt cleaned up with 25 digs, Kalee Wiltfong mashed 11 kills and Camryn Opfer surpassed a significant career milestone as the Bulldogs cruised to a straight-sets win over Texas Wesleyan on Saturday (Aug. 27).
The powerful and balanced attack of 11th-ranked Concordia was on display on Friday (Aug. 26) as it appeared at home for the first time in 2022. Carly Rodaway led the attack with 10 kills in the straight-sets win over McPherson.
After a successful road trip out to Oregon, Concordia comes home this week to host the Bulldog Bash. The opponents will be McPherson and Texas Wesleyan, two squads that are receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll.
In a sharp and clean performance, No. 11 Concordia quickly took care of Park-Gilbert while completing a 3-0 road trip in Oregon. Carly Rodaway and Gabi Nordaker combined for 26 kills in Friday (Aug. 19)'s win.
It's a transcendent class that has helped Concordia Volleyball reach heights it had never before seen. Collectively, the group has set a new standard while living out the program's values: love, hard work, sacrifice and trust.
Bree Burtwistle knew her time was coming. It just took some patience and persistence before she could burst onto the scene as one of the NAIA's best setters. A transfer in her third year as a Bulldog, Burt is soaking up a 2022 season of winning with her best friends.
Three-straight NAIA top 15 finishes lead the Concordia Volleyball program into a 2022 campaign that comes with high hopes. The Bulldogs believe they are primed to take things a step farther after back-to-back national quarterfinal appearances.
Camryn Opfer has continued to make a name for herself within the community she has always called home. The Seward High School alum has a habit of playing big in big moments for a Concordia Volleyball program that has grabbed the national spotlight.
In terms of the approach and the goals of the Concordia Volleyball program, not much has changed since the 2021 season ended in the national quarterfinals. The Bulldogs grew in confidence this spring while 'leaning in' in anticipation of the 2022 campaign.
In a season that came with its share of challenges, the Bulldogs never gave up while advancing to the national quarterfinals for the second season in a row. The 2021 Bulldogs earned the program's best ever final national ranking.
Four years was just not enough for Tara Callahan, who returned to the Bulldogs in 2021 to provide steady leadership and consistently excellent play on the court. Her journey has included many mountaintop moments and unshakable bonds.
Ranked seventh in the NAIA in the preseason, Concordia Volleyball is ready to follow up a national quarterfinal run this past spring. "GPAC championship level effort" is the expectation.
As disjointed and unique as it was, the 2020-21 season provided plenty of rewards for staff, players and supporters of the Concordia Volleyball, which finished ranked No. 8 in the NAIA.
This wasn't exactly how they expected their senior seasons to look, but these Bulldogs aren't focusing on the negative. They are grateful for the chance to continue the program's rise.