Oct. 2, 2015 - Crookston, Minn. - Lysaker Gymnasium - 7 p.m.
No. 9 Northern State at Minnesota Crookston
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wvball/
Live Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab

Oct. 3, 2015 - Crookston, Minn. - Lysaker Gymnasium - 4 p.m.
MSU Moorhead at Minnesota Crookston
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/umcrookston/wvball/
Live Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/crk/#liveEventsTab

CROOKSTON, Minn. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will host No. 9 Northern State University and rival Minnesota State University Moorhead this weekend at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles will battle the Wolves at 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 2 and then will take on MSU Moorhead Sat., Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. Friday will be Campus Dorm Day as all students living in dorms are invited to come out and support UMC volleyball. Saturday is "Be Bold, Wear Gold", come out in your gold gear and support UMC volleyball.

Minnesota Crookston Preview

The Golden Eagles come into the weekend with a 6-7 (2-3 NSIC) mark after splitting with University of Mary and Minot State University over the weekend. The Golden Eagles have been highlighted this season by their overall team defense. Minnesota Crookston is third in the league with 16.81 digs per set, behind just Wayne State College (Neb.) and Augustana University. The key for UMC has been team defense, as it hasn't just been one been person leading the way. Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) has been a big piece of the puzzle with 3.79 digs per set, while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., Ashland, Wis.) comes in averaging 3.52 digs per set. In addition, Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) is averaging 2.35 digs per set, while Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) has transitioned roles this season, moving from setter to defensive specialist, and is averaging 2.27 digs per set.

On the offensive end, UMC has become a more well-balanced offense, trying to make up for the graduation of All-NSIC First Team pick Brittany Looker, but that hasn't been a bad thing. Perrel is right outside of the top 10 in kills per set for the conference, averaging 3.00 kills per set and hitting .116. Pearson is averaging 2.62 kills per set on her senior season. UMC is also getting strong production from their middle hitters. Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) is averaging 1.92 kills per set and hitting .379, while Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) is averaging 1.98 kills per set and hitting .251.

Schwarz and Green have also been improved on the block. Green is averaging 1.12 blocks per set, while Schwarz is averaging 0.90 blocks per set.

Hagen has been one of the best serve specialists in the league this season with 21 service aces at a clip of 0.40 services aces per set, which is currently third in the league.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., Ham Lake, Minn.) has been strong in her third season starting for the Golden Eagles. Trost is averaging 9.87 assists per set. Trost recently eclipsed 2,300 assists and is currently fourth all-time in career assists at UMC and could move into third by season's end.

Northern State Preview

The Northern State Wolves are one of the most experienced teams in the league and it is showing. The Wolves are an unblemished 13-0 (5-0 NSIC) with a win over No. 1 Minnesota Duluth last Friday. Northern State is led by reigning AVCA Player of the Week Kelsey Chambers, a right-side hitter, who is one of the nation's best. Chambers is averaging 4.27 kills per set and hitting .440 on the season. She is also averaging 2.73 digs per set. Adding to the Wolves' offense is Cari McGarvie, who is averaging 3.56 kills per set and hitting .462. McGarvie is also averaging 0.78 blocks per set. They also are aided by Mandy Kurosky's 2.66 kills per set and Tori Biach's 2.42 kills per set.

At setter, Northern State is also blessed with having one of the nation's best in senior Drew Smith, who is averaging 13.32 assists per set and helping her team hit an amazing .379 on the season, as they have just made 137 errors on over 1,300 attacks this season.

Defensively, libero Renee Hoffmann leads the way with 4.39 digs per set.

MSU Moorhead Preview

The MSU Moorhead Dragons are 10-3 (3-2 NSIC) entering the weekend. The Dragons have a balanced offense as they have four players averaging over 2.00 kills per set. Kaitlin VanWinkle leads the attack with 3.62 kills per set, while hitting .374. Carly Masloski is also off to a strong start, averaging 3.08 kills per set. Abby Wolpern comes into the weekend averaging 2.31 kills per set, while Claire Grimm is averaging 2.10 kills per set.

At setter, Casie Baer is averaging 10.96 digs per set, while helping her team to a .224 hitting percentage.

Defensively, libero Amber Krenske leads the way with 4.46 digs per set, while Monica Vega comes in averaging 2.67 digs per set and Baer is averaging 2.42 digs per set. On the block, Kelsey Hartkopf paces MSU Moorhead with 1.52 blocks per set, while VanWinkle averages 1.12 blocks per set and Masloski averages 0.90 blocks per set.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a NCAA Division II university located in the Red River Valley of Northwest Minnesota. UMC sponsors 11 intercollegiate athletic teams with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate conference (NSIC) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). The NSIC is a 16-team conference with schools situated in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
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