Minnesota Crookston at U-Mary
Fri., Sept. 25, 7 p.m.
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/mary/wvball/
Live Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/umary/

Minnesota Crookston at Minot State
Sat., Sept. 26, 3 p.m.
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/minotstate/wvball/
Live Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/minotstate/


CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will hit the road for a two-match road stand as the Golden Eagles take on University of Mary Sept. 25 at 7p.m. and Minot State University Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.

Minnesota Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles enter the weekend with a 5-6 (1-2 NSIC) overall mark coming off a mid-week loss in five sets to NSIC rival Bemidji State University 3-2. Minnesota Crookston has been led by the play of right-side hitter Maggie Perrel (R-So., New Germany, Minn.). Perrel is averaging 3.00 kills and 2.36 digs per set on the season. Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) has had a solid opening to her senior year. Pearson is averaging 2.61 kills and 4.00 digs per set on the season.

UMC has gotten their middle hitters more involved in the offense this season. Kelci Green (R-So., MH, Anoka, Minn.) is averaging 1.98 kills and 0.98 blocks per match on the year. Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) has also really come on recently. Schwarz is averaging 1.89 kills per set, while hitting .397 and averaging 0.93 blocks per set.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., Ham Lake, Minn.) has been the starter all year for the Golden Eagles. Trost is averaging 9.93 assists and 3.11 digs per set on the 2015 season.

Defensively, Pearson had guided the UMC defense, along with Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.), who had 24 digs against Bemidji State. Cashman is averaging 3.48 digs per set. Kaycie Hagen (So., DS/S, Savage, Minn.) has also been solid in back with 2.43 digs per set.


U-Mary Preview
The Marauders are 6-6 (2-2 NSIC) entering Friday. U-Mary is in their first full season being coached by Thais Franca. Franca served as interim head coach for the majority of the 2014 season after originally joining the team as an assistant coach. U-Mary is led by junior outside hitter Thayna Silva, who is averaging 2.91 kills and 2.36 digs per set. Sophomore outside hitter Alexis Jacobs is averaging 2.70 kills and 1.95 digs per set on the season.

At setter, U-Mary has been using two setters. Janell Finkbeiner leads the way with 7.95 assists per set, while Katelyn Olson is averaging 5.15 assists per set.

Defensively, libero Alex Brown leads the way with 4.81 digs per set, while Silva had 2.36 digs per set. On the block, Elizabeth Garcia leads the way with 0.79 blocks per set.

Minot State Preview
Minot State is 3-7 (0-3 NSIC) on the season. The Beavers are coached by Ben Kaszeta, who was an assistant under Jacksonville State University in 2014. The Beavers are led by Mallory Sall, who is averaging 3.35 kills and 3.15 digs per set. Rachel Fagerburg is averaging 2.05 kills and 2.58 digs per set.

At setter, Kelsey Dewulf is averaging 9.30 assists per set and Minot State is hitting .188 on the season.

Defensively, Minot State has balance. Logan Desorcy is averaging 3.84 digs per set, while Sall is averaging 3.15 digs per set. O the block, Shaunessy Dauwalder is averaging 0.66 blocks per set. Tarah Dabovich is averaging 0.61 blocks per set.