Game Notes

Match Info

Opponent: Northern State University
Date: Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
Location: Crookston, Minn.
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Opponent: Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Date: Oct. 6, 5 p.m.
Location: Crookston, Minn.
Arena: Lysaker Gymnasium
Live Stats: https://netfiles.umn.edu/users/smithsd/livestats/xlive.htm
Twitter: UMCAthletics
Facebook: Golden Eagle Sports

• Chart Climber
    Chelsea Wiesner (Jr., Lib., Rochester, Minn.) is coming off a weekend in which she averaged 5.75 digs per set against Upper Iowa and 7.00 digs per set versus Winona State. The successful weekend has helped Wiesner climb up the charts to fourth in digs per set for the league and 54th for digs per set for the nation. In addition, in just over two seasons, Chelsea Wiesner (Jr., Lib., Rochester, Minn.) has accumulated 1,161 digs and earlier this season she became just the third player ever to surpass the 1,000 digs mark. Wiesner needs 311 digs the rest of the season to surpass Jacyln Slepicka's mark of 1,471 digs. Wiesner needs 263 digs to surpass Joan Ebnet's second-place mark of 1,423.

• Acing It!
    The University of Minnesota, Crookston is currently the top team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in service aces with 91 so far this year. Brittany Looker (So., OH, Rochester, Minn.) leads the team with 22 and also leads the conference. In addition, the Golden Eagles are ranked 53rd in the nation and Looker has the 39th-most aces by a single player in the nation. In the conference, Alexandra Skeeter (Jr., OH, Milwaukee, Wis.) and Paige Mitchell (R-Jr., S, West Palm Beach, Fla.) are also among the best.

• Can You Dig It?
    Led by the play of Chelsea Wiesner the Golden Eagles have jumped to No. 6 in the conference for digs per set and No. 71 nationally in the same category. Wiesner had 44 digs in seven sets last weekend. In addition to Wiesner, Brittany Looker is averaging 3.36 digs per set and Alexandra Skeeter is averaging 2.98 digs per set.

• The Roaring 20's
    20 has been a key number for UMC this season. The Golden Eagles are 19-6 this season in sets where they reach 20 before their opponents. The only six set losses came in the first match of the season against Northern Michigan University, in a set versus Ferris State University, against Augustana College and twice last weekend in sets against Upper Iowa and Winona State. In addition, UMC has come back and won six sets in which the opponent reached 20 first, including the first set of last weekend's loss to Upper Iowa University.

• Seeking The W
    The Golden Eagles are seeking the first victory against Minnesota State University, Moorhead under current head coach Lee Anderson. UMC is 1-27 all-time against the Dragons with their only win coming in a 3-2 victory Oct. 30, 2004 against their foes from just down Highway 75. UMC and MSU Moorhead played a close one in Crookston last year with the Golden Eagles falling in five, 3-2, to the Dragons.

    UMC is also looking to end a losing streak against Northern State as they last won Nov. 1, 2008 against the Wolves in a 3-2 victory.


• Top-Notch Competition
    UMC will once again go up against the top NCAA Division II competition in the nation as the NSIC boasts five teams in the AVCA Top 25 poll including Concordia-St. Paul, the five-time consecutive NCAA National Champion returns four AVCA All-American picks to the team heading into 2012. In addition, Southwest Minnesota State, Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth are ranked in the top 10 while Wayne State (Neb.) is also ranked in the top 25.

The Scoop

Previewing The Golden Eagles

    The University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 7-7 (3-4 NSIC) mark. UMC has lost four-straight matches and will look to get back on track this weekend as they return home to host Northern State University Friday and Minnesota State University, Moorhead Saturday.

    Chelsea Wiesner (Jr., Lib., Rochester, Minn.) is coming off a strong weekend where she tallied 23 digs against Upper Iowa University and 21 digs versus Winona State University. She averaged 5.75 digs per set against the Peacocks and 7.00 digs per set versus the Warriors.

    Offensively, the Golden Eagles have remained balanced as three players are averaging over two kills per set. Brittany Looker (So., OH, Rochester, Minn.) paced UMC with 2.93 kills per set and is hitting .148, while Amanda Swann (Sr., OH, Rochester Hills, Mich.) is averaging 2.53 kills per set and is hitting .160 and Alexandra Skeeter (Jr., OH, Milwaukee, Wis.) is averaging 2.07 kills per set. At setter, Paige Mitchell (R-Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Lindsey Rees (R-Jr., Bronson, Mich.) continue to split time. Mitchell is averaging 4.80 assists per set while Rees is averaging 4.32 assists per set.

Previewing The Wolves

    The Northern State University Wolves enter the weekend with a 7-8 (2-5 NSIC) mark. The Wolves split last weekend falling to No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State University 3-0 but picking up a 3-1 victory over University of Sioux Falls. Northern State won both matches over UMC last season. The Wolves are led offensively by 5-11 freshman outside hitter Kelsey Chambers, who is hitting .222 on the season and averaging 2.81 kills per set. In addition, Kaleinani Kabalis, Jussy Tuscherer and Macey Finizio are all also averaging over two kills per set making for a balanced attack for Northern State. At setter, freshman Drew Smith comes into the weekend averaging 9.72 assists per set. Defensively, Sami Nygaard leads the way averaging 3.02 digs per set while Ella Campbell is averaging 3.00 digs per set.

Previewing The Dragons

    Minnesota State University, Moorhead comes into the weekend with a 10-6 (2-5 NSIC) record. The Dragons got off to a great start on the season in nonconference play, even earning a ranking in the AVCA poll early on, but since starting NSIC play MSU Moorhead has struggled a bit. Offensively the Dragons have four players averaging over two kills per set paced by Annie Palmquist's 2.87 kills per set while Heidi Lensing, Kaitlin VanWinkle and Maggie Gruber also fall into that category. At setter, Anna Olson comes in averaging 6.15 assists per set to lead the team. Defensively, MSU Moorhead is paced by Katy Ness' 6.08 digs per set and VanWinkle's 1.03 blocks per set. MSU Moorhead won both matches against the Golden Eagles last year.