Tournament Schedule
Fri., Sept. 4 - Chestnut Hill - 9 a.m.
Fri., Sept. 4 - Florida Southern - 1:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 5 - Bentley - 9 a.m.
Sat., Sept. 5 - New Haven - 1:30 p.m.

Live Stats - http://bentley.prestosports.com/sports/wvball/2015-16/boxscores/20150905_jpwj.xml
Live Video - http://www.bentleyfalcons.tv/

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program will officially open up the season Fri., Sept. 4 and Sat., Sept. 5 at the Dana Athletic Center in Waltham, Mass., as part of the Bentley University Invitational. The Golden Eagles will look to start out the season on the right foot as they open up play at the tournament in the Boston suburbs.

UMC Preview

The Golden Eagles are coming off an 11-17 season in 2014, in which the team's record could have been better if luck would have gone their way in five 5-set losses on the season. Minnesota Crookston returns five starters from last season's roster. The biggest task for the team will be replacing four-time All-NSIC player Brittany Looker, a 2014 All-NSIC First Team pick. Looker accounted for 31 percent of the team's scoring last season, averaging 4.16 kills and 2.73 digs per set. In order to replace the school's all-time kills leader, UMC will have to find balance with a lot of returning experience from last season's roster.

Stephanie Pearson (Sr., OH, Frankfort, Ill.) returns after starting all 28 matches last season. Pearson averaged 1.88 kills and 2.59 digs per set for UMC last season. UMC also returns experience on the right side of the net as Kassi Green (R-So., RS, Anoka, Minn.) returns after averaging 1.90 kills and 0.59 blocks per set. Joining Green on the right side is Maggie Perrel (R-So., RS, New Germany, Minn.), who returns to UMC after a year away from the program. Perrel averaged 2.01 kills and 0.46 blocks per set as a freshman in 2013.

The Golden Eagles also return Kassi Green's twin sister Kelci Green (R-Fr., MH, Anoka, Minn.), who finished out the year strong averaging 1.46 blocks per set over the last 10 matches of the season. Kelci Green averaged 1.07 blocks per set on the year. Erin Schwarz (Jr., MH, Eden Prairie, Minn.) averaged 0.95 blocks per set as a starter for UMC last season. At setter, Sierra Trost (Jr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) also returns after averaging 7.49 assists and 2.35 digs per set. Kaycie Hagen (So., S, Savage, Minn.), who split time at setter with Trost late in the season, will see time at setter and defensive specialist in 2015.

At libero, the Golden Eagles will be without Becca Vandenheuvel (So., DS/Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.) early in the season. Casey Cashman (Jr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) looks to have the spot for the Golden Eagles, at least early on. Cashman shared the libero role with Vandenheuvel and the now graduated Mary Mikutowski. Cashman averaged 1.49 digs per set in 22 matches played as a sophomore.

In addition to the returnees, UMC expects big things from junior outside hitter Kali Erickson (Jr., OH, Fargo, N.D.), who should get a chance after a limited role her first two years. UMC also returns Alyssa Muelken (So., MH, Savage, Minn.) who appeared in limited action last season, while also adding eight freshmen to the fray, five of which should have a chance to compete for playing time for the Golden Eagles in 2015.

Chestnut Hill College

The Chestnut Hill Griffins are coming off a 14-16 mark on the 2014 season, but they return a lot of fire power in their offense. Leading the way for the Griffins will be Rachel Biro, who averaged 3.83 kills per set last season, while Madison McBride also returns after averaging 2.99 kills per set and 3.27 digs per set.

On the block, Madison Shunk returns after averaging 1.40 kills and 0.68 blocks per set. On the right side, Stephanie Gelfan returns for Chestnut Hill after averaging 0.99 kills and 0.60 blocks per set. Setter Alyssa Tamsing also returns for the Griffins after averaging 9.18 assists per set, while libero Regina Trabosh returns after averaging 5.94 digs per set.

The Golden Eagles will play the team out of Philadelphia, Pa. Fri., Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. C.T. to open up the
tournament.

Florida Southern College

The Mocs of Florida Southern are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation coming into the season. Florida Southern went 25-6, advancing to the semifinals of the NCAA South Regional Tournament. The Mocs must replace graduated senior Kate Stromberg, who led the team offensively, but return Kayshia Brady, who
averaged 2.57 kills and 0.77 blocks per set as a junior. Kendall Marotti also returns after averaging 2.09 kills and 2.38 digs per set last season, while Anna Tovo averaged 1.72 kills per set and Rachel Mostert averaged 1.71 kills and 0.98 blocks per set.

Florida Southern must also replace setter Ali Skayhan and libero Catherine Brusie. The Golden Eagles will face the Mocs at 1:30 p.m. C.T. Fri., Sept. 4.

Bentley University

UMC will face the host Bentley University Sat., Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. C.T. The Falcons went 19-12 last season but they return just three starters from last season. Leading the way will be senior outside hitter Jaci Buscher, who averaged 2.58 kills and 2.85 digs per set. Also returning is defensive specialist Jessica Segal, who averaged 2.52 digs per set and outside hitter Shannon Kelly, who averaged 1.86 digs per set last season. Lauren Van Buren also returns to the fray after playing in 23 matches and averaging 2.29 kills per set.

University of New Haven

The Chargers went 24-9 last season and advanced all the way to the fourth round of the NCAA Division II Championship after winning the East Region Championship. New Haven however lost most of their starting line-up from last season. Kristen Lee returns to lead the way after averaging 2.69 kills per set and 2.99 digs per set. Defensive specialist Annika Hacker averaged 2.21 digs per set, while Meghan Kennelly played a key role off the bench averaging 1.86 kills per set last season.

UMC will face New Haven at 1:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 5 in Waltham, Mass., to finish off the tournament.

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.