Country Inn & Suites Invitational
Sept. 9
Minnesota Crookston vs. Bemidji State, 9 a.m., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Minnesota Crookston vs. South Dakota Mines, 4:30 p.m., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Sept. 10
Minnesota Crookston vs. Sioux Falls, 11:30 a.m., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Minnesota Crookston vs. William Jewell, 4:30 p.m., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Live Stats – http://www.sidearmstats.com/siouxfalls/wvball/
Live Video - https://portal.stretchinternet.com/siouxfalls/
 
CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program will open up play Fri., Sept. 9 at the Country Inn & Suites Invite hosted by University of Sioux Falls. The Golden Eagles will play four matches at the Stewart Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

UMC will commence play against NSIC rival Bemidji State University Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. in a non-conference match. They will then take on South Dakota School of Mines Sept. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, UMC will battle Sioux Falls at 11:30 a.m. and William Jewell College at 4:30 p.m. This weekend's tournament will wrap up non-conference play for the Golden Eagles as they look to head into an always daunting NSIC schedule primed and ready for the tough competition.

Minnesota Crookston is entering Friday with a 2-2 mark after a strong showing at the 2016 Ferris State University Invitational. The Golden Eagles defeated Lake Superior State University and West Virginia State University. In addition, they took a set and went toe-to-toe with No. 15 California State University-San Bernardino.
The Golden Eagles are led by Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH/RS, New Germany, Minn.), who averaged 3.31 kills per set and hit .156 en route to being named to the Ferris State Invitational All-Tournament Team. Perrel was joined on the attack by Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.), who averaged 2.14 kills per set and Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH/RS, Anoka, Minn.), who tallied 2.10 kills per set.

At setter, Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) averaged 7.54 assists per set as she helped Minnesota Crookston to a .147 hitting percentage as a team.

Defensively, Trost led the way with 2.92 digs per set, while libero Ali Schueler (R-Fr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) averaged 2.82 digs per set. On the block, Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Fr., MH, Saint Charles, Minn.) averaged 0.71 blocks per set.
In addition, Minnesota Crookston had 31 service aces on the weekend, led by nine from Kassi Green and seven from Trost.

Bemidji State
Bemidji State enters Friday with a 2-2 mark, as well. The Beavers are in their first season under Kevin Ulmer, who came over to Bemidji State from Bethel College (Ind.). BSU came away with wins over Bethany College (Kan.) and York College.
The Beavers are led on the offensive side by outside hitter Jessica Yost, who is averaging 5.21 kills per set with a .425 hitting percentage. Amanda Tronick has also been strong for BSU with 2.93 kills per set.

At setter, Bemidji State has utilized both Shelby Haney and Jordyn Kuehn. Haney leads the way with 4.64 assists per set, while Kuehn is averaging 4.62 assists per set. BSU comes into the weekend hitting .259 as a team.

Defensively, Yost and Emma Hallmann lead Bemidji State with 3.00 digs per set. On the block, the Beavers look to Heather Fletcher's 0.75 blocks per set.

South Dakota Mines
The Hardrockers started the season off at the Angelo State Tournament. South Dakota Mines went 8-20 last season. The leading returnees for the Hardrockers last season are Mikella Reese, who averaged 3.04 kills per set, and Elizabeth Jensen, who averaged 9.62 assists per set. On the block, Anna Breidt averaged 0.63 blocks per set.

Sioux Falls
The Cougars are 2-2 entering the weekend with wins over University of Missouri-St. Louis and Maryville University. The Cougars enter the weekend hitting .233 as a team. They are led by Makenna Rockeman's 3.44 kills per set, while Lexi Scott is averaging 2.25 kills per set and Aubrey Milne is tallying 2.20 kills per set. The Cougars are very potent from several positions in the attack.

At setter, USF looks to two players as Sydney Schaap is averaging 7.92 assists per set and Megan Hamstad is averaging 7.29 assists per set.

Defensively, the Cougars rely upon Abby Folk's 2.88 digs per set, while Rockeman is tallying 2.25 digs per set. Jordan Calef has been a beast on the block thus far for USF, averaging 1.19 blocks per set.

William Jewell
The Cardinals are 2-2 on the season after earning wins over the University of West Alabama and Ohio Valley University. William Jewell is hitting .160 as a team on the season. The Cardinals look to Leslie Booth's 3.00 kills per set to lead the way. They also have strong balance with Stefanie Richterkessing's 2.57 kills and Olivia Johnston's 2.07 kills per set.

At setter, Williams Jewell is led by Alix Weigel's 5.94 assists per set, while Amy Lindhorst is tallying 3.06 helpers per set.

Defensively, William Jewell is led by Kennedy Ruckh's 3.58 digs per set, while Richterkessing is tallying 3.00 digs per set. On the block, Grace Miller leads the way with 0.67 blocks, while Madeline Johnson has 0.63 blocks per set.