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CROOKSTON, Minn. -  The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will hit the road this weekend for two tough matches as they take on No. 20 Augustana University Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. and No. 10 Wayne State College (Neb.) at 4 p.m. The Golden Eagles have a tough schedule over the next three weeks. UMC will have four games out of their next seven against teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25 poll.

Minnesota Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles are 7-8 (3-4 NSIC) coming into the weekend after a split last weekend at home, losing to No. 9 Northern State University and defeating Minnesota State University Moorhead. The Golden Eagles currently sit in a tie for ninth, sitting right outside the top eight (the top eight move on to the NSIC Tournament). UMC found success last weekend utlizing right-side hitter Maggie Perrel (R-So., New Germany, Minn.), who had 12 kills, while Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) and Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) each had nine kills apiece. Defensive specialist Becca Vandenheuvel (So., DS/Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.) also had the best game of her season with 22 digs.

UMC has had a balanced offense this season, led by Perrel's 2.98 kills per set. Pearson has also been a key cog with 2.58 kills per set, while middle hitters Kelci Green and Erin Schwarz have been important, as well. Green is averaging 1.97 kills per set, while Schwarz is averaging 1.85 kills per set. Kassi Green (R-So., OH, Anoka, Minn.) has also had more of an impact as of recently. Green is coming off seven kills against MSU
Moorhead last Saturday.

At setter. Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) continues to lead the way. Trost is averaging 9.69 assists per set, while leading the team to a .174 hitting percentage.

The Golden Eagle defense has been strong this season, holding team's to a .152 hitting percentage with 362 errors on the year. The key to the defense as been the word team. It hasn't been just one player but a combination of players to have helped UMC be successful. Pearson leads the back row as she has 3.68 digs per set this season, while libero Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) comes in with 3.31 digs per set. Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) has also been integral for the Golden Eagles, averaging 2.22 digs per set, while Trost is averaging 2.97 digs per set and Perrel is averaging 2.32 digs per set.

On the block, Kelci Green has had a strong season with 1.19 blocks per set. Schwarz comes in with 0.93 blocks per set.

Augustana Preview
The Vikings are in their first year under Dan Meske, who spent eight years as an assistant coach for National Division I power University of Nebraska. Augustana is currently ranked 20th in the nation with an 11-4 (4-3 NSIC) mark.

Augustana has been led by the play of Dani Magdzas, cousin of former UMC baseball player Travis Magdzas. Magdzas is averaging 2.69 kills per set and hititng .281 on the season. In addition to Magdzas, Brittany Cech comes in averaging 2.39 kills per set and hitting .239. Sydney Hunsley is averaging 2.15 kills per set for the Vikings.

At setter, the Vikings have utilized two main setters with Alex Banker averaging 6.21 assists per set and Anna Sykora averaging 5.91 assists per set. Marissa Johnson has also played, averaging 3.69 assists per set.

Defensively, Augustana is also defined by a team defense. Libero Tahlyr Banks leads the way with 5.82 igs per set with a .983 serve-receive percentage. Ivy Pearson is averaging 3.20 digs per set, while Cech is averaging 3.13 digs per set.

On the block, Becca Finley leads the way with 0.85 blocks per set, while Hunsley is averaing 0.71 blocks per set.

Wayne State Preview
The Wildcats are currently ranked 10th in the nation with a 12-3 (5-2 NSIC) mark coming into the weekend. Wayne State is very potent in their offensive attack led by Katie Hughes, who comes in averaging 3.19 kills per set and hitting .212. Middle hitter Alyssa Frauendorfer adds to the attack with 3.17 kills per set and a .349 hitting percentage. Elizabeth Gebhardt comes in averaging 3.00 kills per set, while Michaela Mestl is averaging 2.32 kills per set.

At setter, Leisa McClintock is averaging 10.98 assists per set and helping her team to a .239 hitting
percentage.

Defensively, libero Courtney VanGroningen averages 4.68 digs per set, while Hughes is averaging 4.81 digs per set and Mestl is averaging 4.02 digs per set.

On the block, Alex Opperman leads the way with 0.70 blocks per set, while Gebhardt has 0.68 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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