The GPAC regular season title chances have been complicated for No. 1 Concordia after it fell at home in four sets to No. 9 CSM on Saturday (Oct. 21). The Bulldogs were defeated despite 20 kills from Camryn Opfer.
The top-ranked Concordia University Volleyball team got better as the match went on while finding a flow and taking care of Doane, 25-18, 25-19, 25-13, on Wednesday (Oct. 18). Gabi Nordaker paced the Bulldogs with 12 kills and five blocks.
Rematches are on the way this week as the top-ranked Bulldogs will travel to Doane on Wednesday and then host No. 9 College of Saint Mary on Saturday. Concordia enters the week tied atop the GPAC standings at 10-1.
In a matchup between the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in the NAIA, the Bulldogs saw their unbeaten ride come to an end. The Red Raiders won a tight first set and then rode its blocking advantage to victory in Orange City.
Following two pivotal GPAC home victories, two members of the top-ranked Bulldogs were honored with player of the week awards. Gabi Nordaker earned NAIA National Attacker of the Week accolades while Bree Burtwistle was also recognized by the GPAC.
Based on the most recent NAIA coaches' poll, the matchup between Concordia and Northwestern will feature the nation's Nos. 1 and 3 teams. The Bulldogs will carry a 17-0 record (10-0 GPAC) into Saturday's clash in Orange City, Iowa.
There were no signs of a letdown as No. 1 Concordia refueled with a little bit of Scooter's Coffee and showed plenty of energy in a straight sets win over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday (Oct. 7). Gabi Nordaker produced 15 kills in the middle.
These were the moments Camryn Opfer and Bree Burtwistle came back to soak in. In a match dripping with hype, the top-ranked Bulldogs defeated defending national champ Jamestown in four sets in front of a raucous crowd on Friday (Oct. 6).
In a highly anticipated weekend of home action, the top-ranked Bulldogs will welcome defending national champion Jamestown and 2022 national quarterfinalist Dakota Wesleyan to Friedrich Arena.
The awards keep on coming for All-American setter Bree Burtwistle. The Stanton, Neb., native has collected her fourth GPAC Setter of the Week award in 2023. Burtwistle led the top-ranked Bulldogs to two GPAC wins last week.
Featured StoryThe winningest senior class in program history by percentage has succeeded in a manner that extends beyond the court. A key factor in that success has been the building of the "best family in the nation."
Featured StoryFacing lofty expectations once again, the 2025 Bulldogs aspire to "Let it rip" in the big moments. Concordia returns four GPAC All-Conference players, including First Team All-American Ashley Keck.
Featured StoryIt was an era of change for Concordia Volleyball. As the calendar flipped to a new millennium, the Bulldogs transitioned to the newly formed Great Plains Athletic Conference while turning to a new head coach.
- Featured Story
During the spring semester, the powerhouse Concordia Volleyball program began the process of shaping the team's identity for 2025. The Bulldogs are preparing to 'let it rip' in big moments this fall.
- Featured Story
No matter the result, the Bulldogs stayed gritty throughout a 2024 season that upheld the program's lofty standards. The '24 Concordia team broke program records for winning percentage and GPAC wins in a season.
- Featured Story
Five-straight trips to the final site of the NAIA National Championships has created a level of expectation that is embraced inside the Concordia huddle. The Bulldogs begin 2024 ranked No. 4 in the NAIA coaches' poll.
Featured StoryA native of Syracuse, Neb., Katie (Werner) Loveless dominated in two sports during her incredible Bulldog career. Accolades aside, Loveless remains impacted by the people she met during her Concordia experience.
Featured StoryThe string of fifth-year stars for Bulldog Volleyball will continue as Gabi Nordaker returns this fall. The volleyball-crazed Nordaker could not pass up one more year of strengthening relationships with her teammates.
Featured StoryThe 2024 'Kobe Year' will be about grit for a Concordia Volleyball team coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Bulldogs began the reloading process this spring without a pair of All-Americans.
Featured StoryWhile the season ended abruptly, the 2023 Concordia Volleyball team achieved great heights in rising to No. 1 in the NAIA coaches' poll, setting a program record for win percentage and sharing the GPAC regular season title.
Upcoming Events
Volleyball
NAIA National Tournament Opening RoundTBAVolleyball
NAIA National Tournament - Final SiteSioux City, IowaVolleyball
NAIA National Tournament - Final SiteSioux City, Iowa
