Minnesota Crookston at No. 25 Winona State7 p.m., Winona, Minn., Oct. 23
Minnesota Crookston at Upper Iowa
3 p.m., Fayette, Iowa, Oct. 24
CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will hit the road to take on No. 25 Winona State University and Upper Iowa University Fri., Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at McCown Gymnasium in Winona, Minn. and Sat., Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. at Dorman Gymnasium in Fayette, Iowa.
The Golden Eagles will look to snap a five-match losing streak but will be faced with two tough opponents in the NSIC.
Minnesota Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles enter Friday with a 7-13 (3-9 NSIC) mark and they are looking to snap their five-match losing streak. The Golden Eagles have struggled to find consistency lately, which was the case Tuesday as they fell 3-1 to Bemidji State University.
UMC has been led on the 2015 season by right-side hitter Maggie Perrel (R-So., New Germany, Minn.). Perrel is averaging 2.96 kills and 2.33 digs per set. She is coming off 18 kills against Bemidji State. Senior Stephanie Pearson (OH, Frankfort, Ill.) enters the weekend averaging 2.39 kills and 3.25 digs per match. Kassi Green (R-So., OH, Anoka, Minn.) has played a more prominent role in the offense lately. Kassi Green is averaging 1.8 kills per set over the last three matches.
In the middle, Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) have been two of UMC's most improved players. Schwarz is averaging 1.72 kills and 0.87 blocks per set, while Kelci Green is averaging 1.93 kills and 1.02 blocks per set.
At setter, Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) is a three-year starter for the Golden Eagles. Trost is averaging 9.36 assists, 2.88 digs and 0.59 blocks per set.
Defensively, Pearson is leading the way, while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., Ashland, Wis.) is averaging 3.14 digs per set. Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) has also been an important defensive player, averaging 2.13 digs per set.
Winona State Preview
The No. 25 Warriors are 12-7 (6-6 NSIC). Winona State is in their second season under Head Coach Joe Getzin. The Warriors are coming off a mid-week win over the Upper Iowa Peacocks.
Winona State has been led by the play of Taylor Goar, who is averaging 3.96 kills and 3.23 digs per set. In addition to Goar, Danielle Rampart comes in averaging 3.32 kills and 3.05 digs per set. Lauren Kudronowicz and Maria Fruechte have both been important cogs to the Warrior attack. Both are averaging 2.75 kills per set. Fruechte is a Division I transfer coming over from Iowa State University.
At setter, McKenna Larson comes in averaging 10.66 assists and 2.51 digs per set.
Defensively, Jamie Cairncross leads the way with 4.22 digs per set, whiel Goar and Rampart have been just as important defensively. On the block, Kudronowicz leads the way with 0.75 blocks per set.
Upper Iowa Preview
The Peacocks come into Friday with an 11-10 (5-7 NSIC) mark. Upper Iowa has been led on the season by Jennifer Mundt, who is averaging 4.22 kills and 2.00 digs per set. Kelsey Hinrichs comes in averaging 2.47 kills and 3.04 digs per set. Those are the main two attack options for the Peacocks.
At setter, Upper Iowa has utilized two players this season. Jenna Hermsen leads the way with 6.32 assists per set and is averaging 2.16 digs per set, while Malissa LeClaire is averaging 4.84 assists and 2.33 digs per set.
Defensively, Taylor Williams leads the Peacocks with 4.60 digs per set, while Hinrichs is second on the team with 3.04 digs 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.
