SEWARD, Neb. – The Corn Palace will serve as the location for the season opening weekend of action. While at the home of Dakota Wesleyan, the 10th-ranked Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Basketball team will play NAIA nonconference foes Valley City State University (N.D.) and William Penn University (Iowa). Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad tuned up for the 2026-27 season by playing an exhibition last week at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
This Week – CorTrust Classic
Friday, Oct. 30 vs. Valley City State (0-0), 1 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | Location: The Corn Palace (Mitchell, S.D.)
Saturday, Oct. 31 vs. William Penn (0-0), 1 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | Location: The Corn Palace (Mitchell, S.D.)
By the numbers
• After hovering near the NAIA top 10 last season, the Bulldogs checked in at No. 10 in the NAIA preseason coaches’ poll released on Oct. 21. The 2025-26 team climbed as high as No. 9 in the official coaches’ poll and landed at No. 13 in the final poll released last season. During Drew Olson’s first 20 seasons leading the program, Concordia has finished in the top 25 a total of 14 times and inside the top 10 nine times. The 2018-19 squad is responsible for the NAIA national championship banner that hangs inside Friedrich Arena.
• The Bulldogs welcome back five of the six players who earned all-conference awards last season: second team honoree Ayla Roth and honorable mention selections in seniors Bree Bunting, JJ Jones, Raelyn Kelty and Sammy Leu. Each of those five players averaged more than 7.5 points per game last season: Roth (11.0), Bunting (9.3), Leu (9.0), Kelty (8.5) and Jones (7.7). Concordia expects to lean upon a deep backcourt, which fuels the team’s full-court press.
• The 2025-26 team finished at 23-8 overall (17-5 GPAC) and tied for third in the GPAC standings. The Bulldogs fell in the first round of the national tournament while making the program’s 24th all-time national tournament appearance. As part of last season, Olson eclipsed 500 career wins (currently at 507-163). Olson is entering his 21st season at the helm of the program.
• For additional reading, check out our 2026-27 women’s basketball season preview linked HERE.
The opponents
Valley City State will also open the new season at the CorTrust Classic. The Frontier Conference member finished last season at 10-16 overall (7-15 Frontier). Head Coach Vanessa Johnson enters her 10th season leading a program she lead to a 25-5 record in 2017-18. VCSU was pegged eighth (out of 12 teams) in the recently released Frontier Conference preseason poll. The Vikings return their leading scorer, senior guard Ellie Braaten, who averaged 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game last season. VCSU has made five all-time national tournament appearances (most recent in 2018). Concordia and VCSU last met at the 2014 Cattle Classic (87-65 Bulldog win).
Both VCSU and William Penn will play against Concordia and Dakota Wesleyan this weekend. Heart of America Athletic Conference members, the Statesmen finished last season at 7-21 overall (4-16 Heart). WPU was placed at 15th (out of 16 teams) in the Heart’s preseason poll. The Statesmen announced DeWitt Mandley as their head coach this past offseason. Mandley spent the previous three seasons as head coach at Wiley University. Last season’s Willam Penn team averaged 55.3 points compared to 65.7 points per game for its opponents. The Statesmen most recently appeared at the national tournament in 2020. Concordia and WPU last went head-to-head at the 2012 Cattle Classic (79-56 Bulldog win).
Next week
The Bulldogs will make their home debut at the 27th annual Cattle Classic scheduled for Nov. 6-7. The event, co-sponsored by Concordia and Cattle Bank & Trust, raises money and food for the Blue Valley Community Action's Food Pantry. Pac N Save of Seward will match all canned food donations. For additional details on the Cattle Classic, click HERE.