Concordia volleyball comes out on top in competitive match against Midland

Junior Ava Greene jumps to block Midland’s attack.

Photo credit: Sam Olson

By Sam Olson

After a back-and-forth first set, Concordia volleyball came out on top to win 3-1 against Midland University.

The first set began with a constant struggle between each team to gain an advantage, but neither team could establish a more than 1-point lead over the other for much of the set. Though Midland would eventually go on a several-point run, leading Concordia 9-13, Concordia’s strategic timeout would allow them to make a comeback, tying the set 20-20. The set continued with Concordia taking the advantage for most of the rest of the set until the end, when Midland managed to come out ahead, Concordia going 28-30 in the first set.

He reminded the team that the game against Midland is always a competitive one, to help them get back on track and win the next matches.

“This match between Concordia and Midland is always a competitive one,” Boldt said. “The set starts over at zero-zero, and let’s go back out there and compete.”

After the close first set, Concordia regained focus and was able to lead the entirety of the second set, winning 25-17 against Midland.

Concordia would again face a close contest throughout much of the third set, being down 7-10 when they called for a timeout. But Concordia would bounce back this set, with Midland right behind them for much of the set, until Concordia would win at the end 25-19.

In the final set, Concordia started out far ahead of Midland, at one point leading 8-1, but Midland was determined to give them a final set, though Concordia’s early lead was too big to be broken. Ultimately, Concordia would emerge victorious, winning 25-17.

Concordia’s defensive game was very crucial to their victory, with Concordia scoring from 17 blocks.

“It’s the foundation of our defense,” said Boldt on Concordia’s blocks. “When we’re controlling the net, we are controlling the match.”

The Bulldogs would also lead the Warriors offensively, with Midland only hitting .056 overall and hitting negatively in the third set.

Concordia’s most aggressive attacker of the match was senior Ashley Keck. The senior ended up scoring 17 kills across the match. Following Keck in kills were Kya Scott, Ella Waters, and Molli Martin, scoring 9, 9, and 7 kills, respectively.

“I think that I was really proud of Ella Waters,” said coach Boldt. “She kind of got in a hole in the first part of the match, but then she worked her way out of it and ended up with some stuff blocks and some good kills in crunch time.”

Concordia plays Doane next away on September 20th, starting at 5 p.m. Boldt said it will be an exciting, close match and that Concordia will be preparing to compete and win against its Great Plains Athletic Conference rivals.