The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will host No. 22 Augustana College and No. 19 Wayne State College as they open up their home slate at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles come into the weekend with a 7-2 mark. UMC opened up conference play against Bemidji State University on the road Tuesday while Augustana and Wayne State played each other in a mid-week match.
 

The Golden Eagles come into the week with a 7-2 mark after going 4-0 to start the season at the Maryville Invitational, as they were crowned tournament champions. Last weekend, UMC went 2-2 at the Northern State University Dacotah Bank Volleyball Classic. The Golden Eagles are led by 2013 All-NSIC First Team pick Brittany Looker, who is the NSIC leader in kills per set. Looker comes in averaging 4.87 kills and 2.57 digs per set. She has three matches on the year with over 20 kills. In addition to Looker, Stephanie Pearson comes in averaging 2.00 kills and 3.03 digs per set while Kassi Green on the right side is averaging 1.63 kills per set. At setter, Sierra Trost comes in averaging 9.90 assists per set. Defensively, Mary Mikutowski is averaging 3.59 digs per set while Morgan VanGerpen leads the block with 1.23 blocks per set.
 

The Vikings come into the week with a 7-2 overall mark and No. 22 national ranking. Augustana picked up wins at their home tournament against South Dakota School of Mines, Fort Hays State University, Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State University last weekend. Their lone loss of the season came in the first match of the year against Northwest Nazarene University. The Vikings are led by outside hitter Courtney Ysker, who is averaging 3.93 kills per set and 3.23 digs per set. In addition to Ysker, middle blocker Ashley Wilson comes in averaging 3.13 kills per set and 1.10 blocks per set. At setter, Marissa Johnson is averaging 8.87 assists per set. Defensively, freshman Tahlyr Banks comes in with 5.00 digs per set while Brittany Cech is averaging 3.47 digs per set.
 

The Wayne State College Wildcats are 8-1 on the season and currently are ranked No. 19 nationally.  Wayne State also went 4-0 last weekend and their lone loss also came to Northwest Nazarene University. The Wildcats have a balanced attack led by Alyssa Frauendorfer's 3.17 kills per set. Katie Hughes is averaging 3.14 kills per set while Elizabeth Gebhardt is averaging 3.10 kills per set. At setter Leisa McClintock comes in averaging 10.86 assists per set. Defensively, libero Courtney VanGroningen leads the way with 4.38 digs per set while Michael Mestl is averaging 4.00 digs per set. 
 

Sept. 19 - 7 p.m. vs. No. 22 Augustana College 

Sept. 20 - 4 p.m. vs. No. 19 Wayne State College

Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab

Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wvball/

1. Will Brittany Looker remain dominant like she has in the first nine matches with a league-leading 5.12 kills per set?

2. Will Stephanie Pearson and Kassi Green build off strong matches of late as the Golden Eagles look for more options alongside Looker?

3. Will setter Sierra Trost continue her strong play as of late?

4. Can UMC pick up some upsets in the next five matches as they play four of their next five against ranked opponents

5. Will UMC be able to control the ball with strong serve-receive passing in their matches this weekend?