CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will host a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Volleyball matches over the weekend. UMC will take on Minnesota State University, Mankato Fri., Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. and No. 3 Concordia University, St. Paul Sat., Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.

Friday's match will mark "Alzheimer's Awareness" night as the Golden Eagles look to raise money toward research to help find a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Saturday, the Golden Eagles will have a costume contest and encourage fans to wear Halloween costumes.

Minnesota Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles will look to snap a seven-match losing streak as they host the Mavericks and Golden Bears. UMC comes into the weekend with a 7-15 (3-11 NSIC) mark. Minnesota State has hit just .072 over the last five matches and they have to find success in the attack in order to defeat two tough NSIC foes.

Minnesota Crookston has been led this season by Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.), who is averaging 2.88 kills and 2.28 digs per set on the season. In addition to Perrel, Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) comes in averaging 2.40 kills and 3.23 digs per set for the Golden Eagles.

In the middle, UMC has found some more offensive production overall this season. Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) enters the weekend averaging 1.83 kill and 1.09 blocks per set, while Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) is averaging 1.66 kills and 0.84 blocks per set.

UMC outside hitter Kassi Green (R-So., OH, Anoka, Minn.) is also having more of an impact of late, averaging 1.33 kills and 0.57 blocks per set on the season. Green is coming off 10 kills against Upper Iowa University last Saturday. She is averaging 2.00 kills per set over the last five matches for the Golden Eagles.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) is averaging 9.18 assists per set, 2.76 digs and 0.57 blocks per set.

Defensively, Pearson leads the way, while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) is averaging 3.01 digs per set. In addition, Trost and Perrel have been strong on defense, while Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) is averaging 2.11 digs per set.

Minnesota State Preview
The Mavericks are in their first year under Head Coach Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth, who served as an assistant for the past 10 seasons under Dennis Amundson. Minnesota state owns a 14-8 (8-6 NSIC) mark on the 2015 season. The Mavericks picked up a sweep last weekend at home with a 3-0 win over St. Cloud State University and a 3-1 victory over No. 8 University of Minnesota Duluth.

Minnesota State has been led this season by Middle Blocker Krista Hassing, who is averaging 4.13 kills and 1.14 blocks per set. Lexi Platz comes ina veraging 2.36 kills per set, while Sydney Geisness is averaging 1.95 kills and 1.25 digs per set.

At setter, Minnesota State has recently been without starter Ellie Van De Steeg, who was averaging 10.87 assists per set. Freshman Autumn Risch has stepped in and averaged 9.47 assists per in five starts.

Defensively, the Mavericks are led by Haley Fogarty, who is averaging 4.86 digs per set. Defensive specialist Rissi McNallan is averaging 2.17 digs per set. On the block, Hassing leads the way with 1.14 blocks per set, while Vikolia Meade is averaging 0.76 blocks per set.

Concordia-St. Paul Preview
Concordia-St. Paul, who had won the previous seven National Championships prior to 2014, is averaging another strong season with an 18-4 (12-2 NSIC) mark. The Golden Bears are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation and recently picked up a weekend sweep with 3-0 wins over St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth.

The Golden Bears are led by Outside Hitter Anna Schlaak, who is averaging 3.52 kills and 2.87 digs per set. In addition, Middle Blocker Riley Hanson is averaging 2.90 kills and 0.71 blocks per set, while Emma Lange is averaging 2.74 kills and 1.00 block per set.

At setter, Kasey Williams has had a great season and is averaging 12.21 assists per set and 2.77 digs per set. The Golden Bears are currently hitting .272 as a team.

Defensively, Taylor Dordan leads Concordia-St. Paul with 4.37 digs per set. Schlaak is averaging 2.87 digs per set, while outside hitter Emily McDonough is averaging 2.69 digs per set. On the block, Heather Schiller, sister of former Golden Eagle Hannah Schiller, is averaging 1.36 blocks per set.

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

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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.