Bulldog volleyball makes history in a five-set win vs. University of Providence
Senior Ashley Keck jumps to return a spike from the opposing team (photo from previous game).
Photo credit: Kai Olbrich
By Kai Olbrich
Sports Editor
The No. 3 Concordia University volleyball team survived a late surge from the No. 6 University of Providence, defeating them in five sets on Dec. 6 and advancing to the national semifinals for the first time in program history.
The Bulldogs had the game under control, winning the first two sets 25-20 and 25-22, but Providence rallied to take sets three and four 25-15 and 27-25. Concordia didn’t panic and took the fifth set in a narrow 15-12 win. The game went well into the night as multiple close points led to challenges late in the game.
Providence was more efficient on the hitting side, ending the game with a .198 hitting percentage compared to Concordia’s .172. The Bulldogs, however, kept the ball up with 116 digs to the 100 from their opponents.
Senior Ashley Keck led in total kills with 24 and digs with 29. Junior Ava Green was versatile at the net with a kill percentage of .267 and four block assists. Seniors Lily Psencik and Savannah Shelburne split the setting duties with 32 and 33 assists each.
The win sends the Bulldogs to the semifinals of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics volleyball tournament. The Bulldogs will face a familiar Great Plains Athletic Conference opponent, Northwestern. The Bulldogs have fallen 3-1 against Northwestern twice already this season but will look to flip the script on Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. with a trip to the national championship game at stake.
