SEWARD, Neb. – The first game week of the 2025-26 season has arrived for Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball. The Bulldogs will tip off the new campaign on Saturday afternoon by hosting Kansas Christian College, an unfamiliar nonconference foe. Head Coach Drew Olson’s program finished last season at 14-15 overall.
This Week
Saturday, Oct. 25 vs. Kansas Christian (1-14 in 2024-25), 2 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Friedrich Arena (Seward, Neb.)
Five quick hitters
· The 2024-25 season concluded abruptly as Concordia fell to eventual national champion Dordt in the GPAC quarterfinals. The Bulldogs went 14-15 overall (9-13 GPAC) and placed eighth in the GPAC standings. In a season of close calls, Concordia lost seven times by either three points or less or in overtime. The Bulldogs were twice edged in overtime by No. 1 Dordt in a show of their competitive level. Concordia’s GPAC All-Conference players were Kendal Brigham (second team), Kristin Vieselmeyer (second team), Abby Krieser (honorable mention) and Raelyn Kelty (honorable mention). Both Vieselmeyer and Kelty return this season.
· The early postseason exit last season resulted in the Bulldogs missing the national tournament for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign. Under Olson, the program has made 16 national tournament trips with five national semifinal advancements, three national championship game appearances and a national title in 2019.
· Concordia averaged 74.6 points per game last season. The team’s leading returning scorers are Kristin Vieselmeyer (10.2), Raelyn Kelty (9.0), Sammy Leu (5.9), Makynna Robbins (4.9), JJ Jones (4.8) and Bree Bunting (4.0). The Bulldogs will have a new point guard this season after Kendal Brigham, a 1,000-point career scorer, used up her eligibility. Concordia also graduated backcourt mate Abby Krieser.
· Olson enters his 20th season leading the Bulldogs. With a career record of 484-155, Olson needs 16 more wins for 500. He stands as the winningest coach in Concordia Athletics history, regardless of sport. Olson has a new-look coaching staff as Katherine Benes fills the top assistant role formerly held by Tae’lor Purdy-Korell for the previous 10 seasons. Vince Ongtangco serves as the staff’s graduate assistant.
· The varsity roster features two freshmen in Milford High School product Ayla Roth and Millard North High School graduate Sara Harley. Roth broke the Milford record for career assists and appears poised for immediate playing time. A number of returners are also expected to step into larger roles this season. The roster is heavy on juniors with seven class members on the varsity.
The opponent
Kansas Christian College is affiliated with the National Christian College Athletic Association. The Falcons went 1-14 in 2024-25. The one win came over Union Adventist University. Head Coach Ken Perry enters his second season leading the program. Kansas Christian returns leading scorer Hayley Diveley, who averaged 20.4 points per game. As a team, the Falcons averaged 50.1 points and shot 29.0 percent from the field last season. Their opponents averaged 62.6 points per game. Before heading to Seward on Saturday, Kansas Christian will play at Mount Marty on Thursday.
Next week
In the lone outing of next week, the Bulldogs will hit the road and take on Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT.