Bulldog volleyball to play rematch against Jamestown after win against Dakota Wesleyan
Photo description: Junior Carly Rodaway runs toward the ball before it can hit the ground.
Photo credit: Bailey Mooney (photo from previous game)
Darien Semedo
Sower Staff
The No. 4 Concordia Bulldogs (22-2, 14-2) opening tournament game ended in a sweep of Dakota Wesleyan Tigers (19-15, 8-8) behind efficient offense and strong blocks.
After celebrating their first Great Plains Athletic Conference Championship since 2000, the Bulldogs came out aggressive and ready for the GPAC tournament. On offense, the Bulldogs were ultra efficient and balanced. On the night, the Bulldogs hit .385 percent with senior Bree Burtwistle (44 assists) setting the way as usual.
Sophomore Ashley Keck (11) and senior Camryn Opfer (11) led the Bulldogs in kills, while freshman Maddie Paulsen (9) and junior Carly Rodaway (9) finished right behind them. Keck was happy with the way that the team played together on offense, with no player outshining the other.
“I think we played as a whole team today, there wasn’t anybody who did [not do] amazing, we all did amazing together. We leaned into each other as a family and that really helps us,” said Keck.
On the defensive side, The Bulldogs front played strong and connected. As a team they finished with 10.0 total blocks, led by Senior Gabi Nordaker (5.0) with Rodaway (2.0) and Opfer (2.0) adding to the block party. On the backside, Opfer led the Bulldogs with 13 digs, while Keck added nine of her own.
The Tigers hit for only .087 percent on the night, including the first set where the Bulldogs forced a -.088 percent. Head Coach Ben Boldt was proud of the blocking from his front and Nordaker during the game.
“I thought that we blocked really well tonight which got them out of what they wanted to do. They were still being aggressive, but we had a solid block set up,” said Boldt. “I thought Gabi [Nordaker] had a really good game against their really good hitter. I think that ended up being the difference in the night.”
In the GPAC Tournament, Northwestern defeated Doane 3-0, Midland won over College of Saint Mary 3-1, and Jamestown swept Morningside 3-0. The Bulldogs will now prepare themselves for a rematch against No. 12 Jamestown (23-8, 14-2), someone who has been a thorn in their side for the last few tournaments. With a win against them this year, the team looks to have turned a corner mentally. Keck expanded on their mentality recently as a team and their attitude in the locker room.
Throughout the past week, we have really focused on when we don’t get a point, moving on to the next play. We don’t worry about our mistakes, and I think that having each other’s back in those situations is important to us,” Keck explained. “We really work on our facial expressions and eye contact to let each other know we have their back.”
From an analytics perspective, the matchup will come down to who is going to be the aggressor early, and which coach makes the correct adjustment. The Bulldogs still boast one of the best offenses in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, so figuring out how to mix up their looks will be important.
In their last matchup, Concordia dropped the first set, but adjusted on offense to get around Jamestown’s block, winning sets two through four. Coach Boldt’s adjustments have been timely as of late, and with his players playing their brand of volleyball, the No. 4 Bulldogs have a great chance to get the last laugh on No. 12 Jamestown.
The rematch will take place in Friedrich Arena on Nov. 8. The home game will save the Bulldogs a long bus ride up to Jamestown and will bring a fully packed gym from Bulldogs Nation.
