CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will wrap up their 2016 season as they trek to play No. 1 Concordia University-St. Paul and Minnesota State University-Mankato. The Golden Eagles will take on Concordia-St. Paul Fri., Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota Crookston will face Minnesota State Sat., Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. at the Taylor Center.
Minnesota Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles come into the final weekend of the season with a mark of 10-16 (6-12 NSIC). Minnesota Crookston has reached 10 or more wins in five of the last six seasons. UMC comes into the final weekend in a tie for 10
th place with Upper Iowa University. The Golden Eagles are just two games behind Minnesota State in ninth place, a team they defeated 3-2 Sept. 24 in Crookston, Minn.
Minnesota Crookston has been led on the season by
Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH, New Germany, Minn.), who is averaging 3.53 kills per set on the season. UMC has also gotten increased production this season out of the Green twins, who continue to improve.
Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) is averaging 2.72 kills per set on the season, while
Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) is tallying 2.16 kills per set.
At setter,
Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) has been a four-year starter for the Golden Eagles. Last week she moved past Cassie Yates to become No. 2 all-time in assists. Torst is averaging 9.88 assists per set. She has led the Golden Eagles to 11.8 kills per set and a .172 hitting percentage.
Defensively, UMC has looked to
Ali Schueler (R-Fr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.), who is averaging 3.86 digs per set on the season. On the block, the Golden Eagles have been led by
Kelci Green, who is tallying 0.72 blocks per set on the season.
Concordia-St. Paul Preview
The Golden Bears are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation. Concordia-St. Paul, an NCAA Division II volleyball power that won seven-consecutive National Championships from 2007-13, comes in with a 24-2 (16-2 NSIC) mark.
Concordia-St. Paul has an experienced starting line-up that includes six seniors. The Golden Bears have been led by Anna Schlaak, an outside hitter who is averaging 3.31 kills per set and is hitting .255. Riley Hanson, a middle blocker, comes in tallying 3.04 kills per set and a .433 hitting percentage.
At setter, Kasey Williams has been one of the best in the country. She is averaging 12.2 assists per set and has helped the Golden Bear offense to 14.8 kills per set and a .325 hitting percentage.
Defensively, Concordia-St. Paul has been led by former outside hitter Emily McDonough, who is averaging 4.52 digs per set. In addition, Schlaak is averaging 3.36 digs per set. On the block, the Golden Bears have been led by Shelby Seurer, who is tallying 1.07 blocks per set.
Minnesota State Preview
Minnesota State comes into the weekend with a 14-12 (8-10 NSIC) mark. The Mavericks had won five-straight matches until losing to No. 2 University of Minnesota Duluth Nov. 5.
Minnesota State has been led by Krista Hassing, who is averaging 3.61 kills per set at the middle hitter position. She is hitting .347 on the season for the Mavericks. In addition to Hassing, Sydney Powell comes in averaging 2.49 kills per set, while Morgan Olson, who is averaging 2.35 kills per set.
At setter, Autumn Risch is averaging 10.5 assists per set. She has led the Mavericks to 12.6 kills per set and a .209 hitting percentage.
Defensively, UMC has looked to libero Haley Fogarty's 4.07 digs per set, while Hassing leads the block with 0.90 blocks per set.
