A blip in the first set did not phase the Bulldogs, who responded impressively while earning a win over a top 10 team on the road. Carly Rodaway hit efficiently from the right side and Becca Gebhardt led the back row in the win at No. 9 CSM.
The Concordia Volleyball team again backed up its No. 2 national ranking while hitting .388 in a quick moving victory over visiting Doane on Wednesday (Sept. 13). The Bulldogs moved to 10-0 while getting contributions from all comers.
In spearheading the win over No. 9 Midland, Bree Burtwistle has been named GPAC Setter of the Week. The award is her second in a row and fifth of her career. Burtwistle totaled 40 assists in the victory.
The string of in-state foes to begin conference play will continue this week as the second-ranked Bulldogs look ahead to matchups with Doane and No. 12 College of Saint Mary. Concordia enters the week as one of eight remaining undefeated teams in the NAIA.
The focused second-ranked Bulldogs muzzled Midland on Wednesday (Sept. 6) in a battle between NAIA top-10 ranked combatants. Maddie Paulsen shined in the middle and Concordia turned away the Warriors with the help of .342 hitting.
For her work in five victories last week, All-American setter Bree Burtwistle has been named the GPAC and NAIA National Setter of the Week. On the season, Burtwistle ranks sixth nationally with an average of 10.93 assists per set.
The Concordia-Midland rivalry will highlight a lighter week for the second-ranked Bulldogs. Coach Ben Boldt's crew went 5-0 last week and moved to 8-0 overall. As part of the action, Camryn Opfer climbed to No. 3 on the program's all-time kills list.
A perfect 4-0 weekend came to fruition on Saturday as the Bulldogs defeated Kansas Wesleyan and No. 6 Park in North Sioux City. Ashley Keck posted a team high 26 kills on the day and Concordia held its opponents to a .112 hitting percentage.
The outsides brought the heat on Friday (Sept. 1) as the Bulldogs stayed unbeaten with wins over Rocky Mountain and Mayville State at the Labor Day weekend classic. Camryn Opfer moved to No. 4 on the program's all-time kills list.
Never before has the Concordia Volleyball program owned a higher national ranking than it does currently.The Bulldogs moved from No. 4 in the preseason to No. 2 in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released on Aug. 30.
- Featured Story
While 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.
Featured StoryWhatever the end result, emotions will run high for a group of Bulldogs who have been instrumental in the most successful period in the history of Concordia Volleyball. It's time for one last final site experience for nine Bulldogs.
- Featured Story
On the strength of a 13-0 start to the season, Concordia Volleyball has leveled up to the NAIA No. 1 national ranking. The Bulldogs have reached that lofty perch for the first time in the program's history.
Featured StoryFour-consecutive trips to the final site of the NAIA National Championships lead the Concordia Volleyball program into 2023, or the “Jordan Year,” as the team has dubbed it. Coach Boldt's Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the GPAC.
Featured StoryAll-American Gabi Nordaker may have turned down Concordia after the initial offer, but she's learned to love life as a Bulldog. In three collegiate seasons, Nordaker has been a major reason why the program has reached great heights.
Featured StoryOnce Rachel Miller experienced it, she held on and never let go. The former All-American volleyball star and past Bulldog head coach remains deeply rooted within the Concordia and Seward and communities.
Featured StoryA veteran and battle-tested bunch of Bulldogs picked up where they left off in the fall and enjoyed a spring of continued development. The spring season, which included a matchup with a Big Ten foe, was about preparing to 'level up' in 2023.
- Featured Story
Four seasons of college volleyball are in the books for Bree Burtwistle and Camryn Opfer, but they aren't ready to let go. The two All-Americans will return in 2023 in pursuit of a GPAC championship Concordia Volleyball covets.
- Featured Story
It was another season of national prominence for Concordia Volleyball, which was led by a senior class that trusted the process throughout four years. The likes of Gabi Nordaker and Camryn Opfer helped lead the Bulldogs to a No. 4 national ranking.
- Featured Story
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.
