Makenna Nold: A Remarkable Rise in Collegiate Volleyball

Setting Records and Breaking Barriers

On November 26, 2025—JAMESTOWN—Makenna Nold's remarkable achievements in collegiate volleyball have earned her recognition for the second straight year by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The spotlight shines brightly on Nold, who many Blue Jay fans remember for her stellar high school performances. Her stats? An impressive 667 kills coupled with 357 digs during her senior year alone. This was just the beginning for Nold, a journey marked by dedication and athletic prowess.

High School Highlights

Reflecting on her high school years, Nold's accolades are a testament to her commitment. In addition to her kills, she added 85 service aces, 48 blocks, and 37 assists to her impressive season totals. As a result, she was recognized as the WDA Senior Athlete of the Year and made a mark on the volleyball community with All-WDA and first-team all-state honors. Her name even graced the pages of Volleyball Magazine as the North Dakota Player of the Year.

“It's such an honor to me,” Nold remarked about her latest award. “I have put a lot of work in, and to see that be recognized is amazing. I could not have gotten that award, though, without my teammates.”

Setting New Standards

Nold's impressive feats extend beyond traditional stats. At the 2023 state tournament, she shattered records that had stood for over a decade. Notably, she broke the single-match state tournament kills record, previously held by Grand Forks Red River's Hadley Steffan, with a staggering 39 kills in a quarterfinal match against Fargo North.

Transitioning to College

As she transitioned to the collegiate level, Nold took the NSIC by storm, being named Freshman of the Year last season. She dominated her first year with the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears, appearing in 30 matches and recording 304 kills, 42 aces, 103 digs, and 97 blocks. These achievements laid a solid foundation for her ongoing career.

The Present and Future

This season, her numbers continue to climb. As of November 2025, Nold has compiled 426 kills, 46 aces, 271 digs, and 90 blocks in just 30 matches, contributing 522.5 points to her team's performance. The Golden Bears currently possess an impressive record of 26-5, dominating their conference play at 19-1.

“The postseason accolades gave me some confidence going into this season,” Nold said, reflecting on her growth. “I knew I wanted to build off of that and help my team get further in the tournament.”

However, she emphasizes that her journey is not solely about the numbers or the accolades. For Nold, the camaraderie formed with her teammates has been an equally rewarding part of the experience. “The best part of this season so far is just being able to hang out with my team daily,” she shares. “I have some amazing teammates who make it a lot of fun at Concordia. It's been a really fun season.”

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

As Makenna Nold continues to excel, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere. With upcoming matches in the NCAA Central Region Tournament slated for December 4-7, there's no doubt Nold will add more accolades to her already formidable résumé. The future is bright for this talented athlete, and I—like many fans—am excited to see how her legacy unfolds.