The sixth-ranked Bulldogs hit .420 on Wednesday (Oct. 20) and treated the home fans to a straight sets win over Doane. Three Concordia players reached double figures in kills and the home win streak was pushed to 11.
The sixth-ranked Bulldogs will aim for season sweeps of two opponents this week as they host Doane on Wednesday and visit CSM on Saturday. Concordia is 7-0 at home in 2022 following this past week's five-set win over No. 7 Northwestern.
Faced with only its third five-set match this season, the sixth-ranked Bulldogs answered the call with the help of some clutch play from Carly Rodaway. Concordia managed to edge No. 7 Northwestern while taking the fifth set, 15-9.
Time to turn the page. The Bulldogs will be back at home to host No. 7 Northwestern on Saturday in a another GPAC battle between top 10 teams. Concordia owns a nine-match home winning streak.
A first set that slipped through Concordia's fingers paved the way for No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan to take Saturday (Oct. 8)'s match in straight sets. The Bulldogs went 0-2 on a challenging weekend road trip up north.
The strong service of No. 2 Jamestown threw the sixth-ranked Bulldogs off their game on Friday (Oct. 7). Concordia (16-2, 7-2 GPAC) fell for the first time in a month while coming up short against the Jimmies once again.
Two road matches of significance in terms of both driving distance and GPAC standings await the sixth-ranked Bulldogs, who are prepping to play at No. 2 Jamestown and No. 15 Dakota Wesleyan. Concordia stands at 16-1 (7-1 GPAC).
It was a fitting way to honor the seniors as Concordia remained red hot in a straight sets win over Morningside. The Bulldogs hit .426 and improved to 16-1 overall (7-1 GPAC) behind a team high 11 kills from Carly Rodaway.
Make if five GPAC wins in a row, all in straight sets, for the sixth-ranked Bulldogs. They hit .425 behind nine more kills from star middle Gabi Nordaker. Twelve different Concordia players recorded a kill in the win over Briar Cliff.
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.
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.