7 p.m., Sept. 17, Romano Gymnasium, Duluth, Minn.

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The Golden Eagles had a tale of two weekends thus far as they opened up the season at non-conference tournaments in Waltham, Mass. and Sioux Falls, S.D. The Golden Eagles opened up the season with a 3-1 mark at the Bentley University Invitational, however last weekend, the team struggled to finish off matches as they were 1-3 in the Augustana Volleyball Showcase, losing five-set matches to Northwest Missouri State University and Black Hills State University.

The Golden Eagles have been guided on the season by the play of senior outside hitter Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.), who has started the year on a good note. Pearson is averaging 2.70 kills per set and leads the team with 4.09 digs per set. In addition Pearson, the return of Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.) has paid dividends for the Golden Eagles. Perrel did not play volleyball last year, but has picked up where she left off as a freshman. She is averaging 2.73 kills per set to lead the team, while adding 2.39 digs per set. 

In the middle, Erin Schwarz (Sr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Kelci Green (R-Fr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) have been a good duo. Schwarz is averaging 1.76 kills and 1.00 blocks per set, while Green is averaging 1.94 kills and 0.94 blocks per set.

Defensively, Casey Cashman (Jr., Lib., Ashland, Wis.) has gotten the start at libero early on. Cashman is averaging 3.06 digs per set. Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) has also been an integral back-row play moving to defensive specialist from her setter role. Hagen is averaging 2.39 digs per set on the year.

As a team, the Golden Eagles are hitting .166 on the season, while allowing opponents to hit .153. UMC has also used serving to their advantage with 54 service aces, led by Pearson's 16 and Hagen's 15.

The Bulldogs recently made the jump to No. 1 in the AVCA poll after starting the year with a 7-1 mark with their only loss coming to No. 24 Western Washington University. The Bulldogs have consistently been in the hunt for National Title contention under Head Coach Jim Boos, but continue to fall just short. UMD will look to make the run in 2015, but the Bulldogs will again have a tough road as six NSIC teams are currently in the Top 25, while three schools are in the Top 3 with UMD, Southwest Minnesota State University and Concordia University-St. Paul. 

The Bulldogs are led by Mariah Scharf, a 2014 AVCA All-American at outside hitter. Scharf is hitting .224 and averaging 3.88 kills per set so far in her senior year. 2014 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention pick Sydnie Mauch, a junior middle hitter, is averaging 3.65 kills and 1.08 blocks per set. Senior middle blocker Monica Turner, an AVCA All-American Second Team pick is averaging 2.50 kills and 1.09 blocks per set. Outside Hitter Taylor Wiesbrocker is averaging 2.59 kills and 2.19 digs on the season, thus far.

At setter, 2014 NSIC Player of the Year and AVCA All-American First Team pick Ashley Hinsch returns for her senior season. Hinsch is averaging 12.06 assists per set.

Defensively, freshman Erin Schindler and sophomore Kelly Madison have been the key players. Schindler is averaging 4.76 digs per set, while Madison is averaging 3.00 digs per set.