CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will hit the road for the final time this season as they head to Moorhead, Minn. to face Minnesota State University Moorhead Fri., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Aberdeen, S.D. to face No. 4 Northern State University Sat., Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.
UMC at MSU Moorhead
Fri., Nov. 6 - 7 p.m. - Nemzek Fieldhouse
UMC at #4 Northern State
Sat., Nov. 7 - 4 p.m. - Wachs Arena
Minnesota Crookston PreviewThe Golden Eagles head into their final road weekend with a 7-17 (3-13 NSIC). UMC is currently in 15th place in the standings with two weekends remaining. The Golden Eagles have lost nine straight dating back to an Oct. 3 win over MSU Moorhead. UMC did have a big positive last weekend as they picked up their first set victory over notorious NCAA Division II powerhouse Concordia University, St. Paul since 2002 with their 25-23 second-set victory.
Minnesota Crookston is led by
Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.), who is averaging 2.83 kills and 2.27 digs per set.
Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) is averaging 2.33 kills and leading the team with 3.20 digs per set. In the middle,
Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) is averaging 1.78 kills and 1.04 blocks per set. Also in the middle,
Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) is averaging 1.57 kills and 0.84 blocks per set.
At setter, UMC has been running a 6-2 rotation in recent weeks.
Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) is leading the way with 8.84 assists per set and is averaging 2.66 digs per set.
Kaycie Hagen (So., S/DS, Savage, Minn.) is averaging 0.42 assists per set on the season but averaged 3.14 assists per set last weekend. Hagen is also averaging 2.08 digs per set.
At libero,
Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) is averaging 3.08 digs per set.
MSU Moorhead PreviewThe Dragons come in with a 13-11 (6-10 NSIC) mark on the season. MSU Moorhead has been led by Carly Masloski, who is averaging 3.11 kills and 0.74 blocks per set. In addition, Kaitlin VanWinkle comes in averaging 3.08 kills and 1.12 blocks per set. Abby Wolpern comes in averaging 2.24 kills and 2.04 digs per set, while Claire Grimm is averaging 2.16 kills per set off of the bench.
At setter, Casie Baer is leading the way with 10.49 assists per set and helping the team to a .181 hitting percentage.
At libero, Amber Krenske leads the way with 4.53 digs per set, while Baer is averaging 2.94 digs per set and Monica Vega is averaging 2.68 digs per set. On the block, Kelsey Hartkopf leads the way with 1.27 blocks per set.
Northern State PreviewNorthern State comes in with a 22-2 (14-2 NSIC) mark and a No. 4 ranking in the nation as they put together a strong season with their only losses coming to fellow Top 25 opponents Southwest Minnesota State University and Wayne State College (Neb.).
The Wolves have been led by one of the nation's best players in right-side hitter Kelsey Chambers, who is averaging 4.19 kills per set and hitting .357 for the season, in addition she is averaging 2.88 digs per set. Cari McGarvie is also having a great season with 3.27 kills per set and a .408 hitting percentage with 0.70 blocks per set.
In addition to Chambers and McGarvie, Mandy Kurosky has been strong with 2.86 kills per set while Tori Biach is averaging 2.39 kills per set.
At setter, Drew Smith has been o ne of the best in the nation for Northern State with 13.15 assists per set and has helped Northern State to a .323 team hitting percentage.
Defensively, Renee Hoffman leads the way with 4.17 digs per set, while Annika van Oosbree is averaging 2.37 digs per set.
