CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially lifted the lid on the 2017 season with their first practices Mon., Aug. 14. The Golden Eagles have a strong core of returnees including 13 players from last season's roster. In addition, the U of M Crookston has added four talented newcomers from Minnesota to the fray, who will look to push and compete for time in the Maroon and Gold.
"The girls definitely came in ready to go today," said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. "They came in and competed at a high level right away. We did a lot of competing today, so we could see where they are at after this summer. They came in with a lot of energy. Our technique needs a little bit of work, but that is what we will continue to work on the rest of the preseason."
The Golden Eagles are coming off a 10-18 mark during the 2017 season. They return a lot of talent and a lot of experience from last season. Minnesota Crookston will be led by fifth-year seniors Maggie Perrel (R-Sr., OH, New Germany, Minn.), Kassi Green (R-Sr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) and Kelci Green (R-Sr., MH, Anoka, Minn.). In addition, Callie Schapekahm (Jr., MH, Eagan, Minn.) and Ali Schueler (R-So., Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) were starters for the Golden Eagles last season. They return 13 players in total who were with the team last year. The returnees adjusted to their new coach in the spring and are excited about the season under Coach Rauen.
"We definitely have adapted really well and I think we can really go up from here," Kelci Green said. "We had great energy today and kept up a competitive nature all practice."
Minnesota Crookston is in their first season under Rauen, a Stacy, Minn., native, who took over the team prior to the start of the spring after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University.
In addition to a strong group of returnees, Minnesota Crookston also welcomes talented newcomers, all from the state of Minnesota. One of those newcomers, Sydney Kruisselbrink (Fr., S, Rochester, Minn.), talked about the adjustment to the college game that started this morning with practice.
"The main difference is the speed and intensity of the game itself," Kruisselbrink said. "Everything is much faster. The sets, the defense, the hits, everything, it is something you have to adjust to."
The U of M Crookston will open up their season in Durant, Okla., Sept. 1 and 2 with matches against University of Central Missouri, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southern Nazarene University and Ouachita Baptist University.
