ELITE EIGHT QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW
No. 7 Gannon vs. No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul
Thursday, December 11 • 2:30 PM (ET)
Sanford Pentagon – Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Matchup
The NCAA Division II Elite Eight opens with a high-profile quarterfinal as No. 7 Gannon challenges one of the most dominant programs in Division II history, No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul.
Gannon enters the national tournament for the second straight year and the fourth time in the last five seasons. Concordia-St. Paul arrives in Sioux Falls seeking its 10th national title under head coach Brady Starkey, who has built a 688-96 record over 22 seasons and has guided the Golden Bears to 13 Elite Eight appearances.
This will be the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The Golden Bears earned a 3–1 victory in a neutral-site match earlier this season on September 7.
Head-to-Head
Gannon is making its second straight trip to the Elite Eight and fourth in the last five years. The Golden Knights face a renowned Concordia-St. Paul team in the quarterfinals. The Golden Bears are in search of their tenth NCAA national championship, last winning in 2017. This marks the 13th trip to the Elite Eight in head coach Brady Starkey’s 22 seasons. Starkey owns an incredible 688-96 record as head coach. After losing to St. Cloud State in the NSIC championship match Concordia-St. Paul came back to defeat the Huskies in the Central Regional title game on Saturday, winning 3-2.
Series History: Concordia-St. Paul leads 1–0 (last meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 – CSP 3, Gannon 1)
Quotes from Gannon Head Coach Matt Darling
On facing Concordia-St. Paul:
“Concordia is one of the most storied Division II programs, and they have earned that status. Competing against them on this stage creates a tremendous challenge and an opportunity for our team.”
On the Gannon team’s progress:
“I am proud of what this group has accomplished this season. They are a connected and resilient team, and I look forward to having another week with them.”
How Gannon Advanced: Atlantic Regional Champions
Gannon hosted the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional for the fourth straight year and came away with a second straight regional crown. The Golden Knights opened up with a 3-0 win over CIAA champion and No. 8 seed Fayetteville State in the quarterfinals. Next was a familiar foe in No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown. After dropping the first set to the Mountain Cats the Golden Knights won the next three games for a 3-1 win.
For the third time this season Gannon defeated Indiana (Pa.), prevailing by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 25-20. The Crimson Hawks had upset PSAC champion East Stroudsburg in the semifinals. Gannon is making its fourth trip to the Elite Eight in the last five years.
Atlantic Regional Results
Thursday, December 4 – Quarterfinals
No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 8 Fayetteville State 0
- Kills: Wake 15, Williams 11
- Assists: Arslan 38
- Blocks: Williams 4, Smith 3
Friday, December 5 – Semifinals
Gannon 3, Pitt-Johnstown 1
- Kills: Williams 17, Wake 11, Smith 10
- Assists: Arslan 47
- Digs: Fowler 13
- Blocks: Smith 5, Atwell 3, Arslan 3
Saturday, December 6 – Championship Match
Gannon 3, Indiana (Pa.) 0
- Kills: Yazicioglu 13, Wake 11
- Assists: Arslan 41
- Digs: Williams 11
- Blocks: Atwell 5, Smith 3, Yazicioglu
All-Tournament Honors
Gannon had five players named to the 12-member Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team. They included Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy), Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) and Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts). Arslan was previously named to the All-Tournament Team in 2022 as a freshman.
Arslan earned her second career regional tournament honor, previously recognized in 2022.
National and Regional Accolades
AVCA All-Americans (Honorable Mention)
AVCA All-Atlantic Region – First Team
D2CCA All-Atlantic Region
- Arslan – First Team
- Atwell – Second Team
- Wake – Second Team
PSAC West Major Awards
All-PSAC West
- First Team: Arslan, Atwell, Wake
- Second Team: Yazicioglu
Record Book Performances
Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) — Senior Setter
- 4,481 career assists (2nd all-time at Gannon)
- 1,375 assists this season (2nd all-time at Gannon)
- Also ranks in the top 10 in service aces, matches played, and sets played
Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area) — Junior Middle Blocker
- 365 career blocks (3rd all-time)
- Top 10 in single-season hitting percentage
Additional Notes
- Kasey Smith (Meadville, Pa./Villa Maria) ranks 7th in single-season hitting percentage (.360)
- Atwell ranks 9th (.333)
Gannon’s Elite Eight History
The Golden Knights are making their eighth appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. They lost in the quarterfinals in 1991, ’92, and ’93 with head coach Gerry Burbules at the helm. Gannon returned to the Elite Eight in 2017 under head coach Matt Darling and posted a 3-0 win over Regis to advance to the semifinals, where Florida Southern edged the Golden Knights, 3-2. Gannon reached the Final Four for a second time in 2021, upsetting No. 4 seed Hillsdale, 3-1, before losing to host and top-seeded Tampa in the semifinals.
1991 (No. 8 seed, Canyon, Texas)
vs. West Texas A&M – L, 0-3 (14-16, 8-15, 4-15)
1992 (No. 8 seed, Portland, Ore.)
vs. Portland State – L, 0-3 (6-15, 5-15, 4-15)
1993 (Marquette, Mich.)
vs. CSU Bakersfield – L, 0-3 (8-15, 7-15, 6-15)
2017 (No. 7 seed, Pensacola, Fla.)
vs. No. 2 Regis – W, 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 25-17)
vs. No. 3 Florida Southern – L, 3-2 (25-16, 15-25, 23-25, 26-24, 12-15)
2019 (No. 7 seed, Denver, Colo.)
vs. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney – L, 1-3 (25-19, 22-25, 17-25, 15-25)
2021 (No. 5 seed, Tampa, Fla.)
vs. No. 4 Hillsdale – W, 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16)
vs. No. 1 Tampa – L, 1-3 (21-25, 20-25, 25-23, 18-25)
2022 (No. 5 seed, Seattle, Wash.)
vs. No. 4 Cal St. LA – L, 0-3 (11-25, 14-25, 18-25)
2024 (No. 6 seed, Sioux Falls, S.D.)
vs. No. 3 Angelo State – L, 2-3 (26-28, 25-15, 25-17, 19-25, 6-15)
What’s at Stake
The winner of the Gannon–Concordia-St. Paul quarterfinal will advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals on Friday, December 12 at 5:00 p.m. (ET), facing the winner of No. 3 Point Loma vs. No. 6 Bentley.