The University of Minnesota Crookston Volleyball team will look to rebound this Tuesday night against Minot State following a weekend out west to Colorado that saw the Golden Eagles drop four matches, including a thrilling five-set match loss against CSU Pueblo. In fact, the two sets that the Golden Eagles took from the Wolves were the only two sets that they lost the entire weekend. It might not have resulted in a match win for the Golden Eagles, but taking two sets from a good team like CSU Pueblo could instill some confidence in the young Golden Eagles.

• SET IT UP. Man, what a weekend Natalie Koke had for the Golden Eagles from the setter position. The redshirt junior from Caledonia, Wis., didn't leave the floor much for head coach Sarah Morgan in the Golden Eagles first four games in Pueblo, Colo. Koke registered a career-high 33 assists in a four set loss on Saturday to Rollins College. Koke followed that performance up with just 32 assists in a five set loss to the Wolves of CSU Pueblo. It was a pretty good start for the redshirt junior.

• WHAT A MATCH. With every match played at the Steel City Showcase for the Golden Eagles, there was improvement. That includes the final match of the Showcase, a five-set thriller against CSU Pueblo, who could be a darkhorse to make the NCAA Tournament this season. The Golden Eagles took two out of the first three sets, before the Wolves came storming back to win the match, three sets to two. Although it was a loss, the Golden Eagles have to be happy playing a solid match against a really good team. Minnesota Crookston will look to carry over that momentum this weekend for three matches.

• NON CONFERENCE FOE. This Tuesday will feature a very familiar foe for the Golden Eagles, except it will be in non conference play. Minnesota Crookston will travel to the Minot Dome for a match with the Beavers of Minot State. This will be the first of two matches with Minot State. Both matches this season with Minot State will be in the Magic City.

• BALANCE ATTACK. Through four games, the offensive attack for Minnesota Crookston has been a balanced attack. That was evident in last Saturday's match against Rollins College where the Golden Eagles had three attackers with 10 blocks in Lauren Wallace, Charlee Krieg and Bailey Schaefer. Wallace leads the way with 42 kills on the season, followed by Krieg with 32 and Schaefer with 29. A balanced offensive attack like the one we saw in Peublo could be the key to success this season for the Golden Eagles.

• TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LAYNE. Freshman Layne Whaley made a solid first impression on her new teammates last weekend at the Steel City Showcase. The freshman from Ashland, Neb., was everywhere defensively in her Golden Eagle debut, collecting a career-high 14 digs against Fort Hays State in the season opener. Whaley followed that performance with an 11-dig performance in a four set loss against Rollins College. Through four matches, Whaley leads the way with 40 digs. Something tells me that her career-high in digs might not last too long.

• CAN VOLLEYBALL HAVE A BLOCK PARTY? If not, Mara Weisensel is going to start inviting people to her own party. The sophomore from New Ulm, Minn., made a giant impact at the net for the Golden Eagles. Although Weisensel didn't collect a block in the loss to Fort Hays State, she collected a total of nine blocks in the final three matches of the weekend, including a career-high four against CSU Pueblo. It was a good start at the net for Weisensel and head coach Sarah Morgan will hope for the same success this weekend for Weisensel.


Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Sarah Morgan
Record at UMC: 15-74

at Minot State
Tuesday. Sept. 14
6 P.M.
2019 Record.......3-26
NSIC Record...........2-18
Head Coach............Dana Cordova-Jacobsen (Fifth Season)
Key Player............Alexandra Koontz (Earlville, Ill., Fresh.)


vs University of Sioux Falls
Friday, Sept. 17
6 P.M.
2019 Record.....17-11
NSIC Record....9-11
Head Coach......Dan Matthews (First Year)
Key Player...........Averey Yaksich (Omaha, Neb., R-Sr.)


vs Southwest Minnesota State
Saturday, Sept. 18
2 P.M.
2019 Record.....18-10
NSIC Record.......12-8
Head Coach.......Terry Culhane (18th Season)
Key Player.....Payton Hjerleid (Mallard, Iowa, Senior)


How to Follow
Minnesota Crookston at Minot State
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 14
Time: 6 P.M.
Minot Dome
Non-conference Match
Video: https://msubeavers.com/coverage
Live Stats: https://msubeavers.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary

University of Sioux Falls at Minnesota Crookston
Date: Friday, Sept. 17
Time: 6 P.M.
Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
'Gold Out' - First 150 fans will receive Gold Golden Eagle Volleyball Shirts
Video: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media

Southwest Minnesota State @ Minnesota Crookston
Date: Saturday, Sept. 18
Time: 2 P.M.
Gary Senske Court at Lysaker Gymnasium
Video: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media


Opponents Outlook
MINOT STATE. Minot State and Minnesota Crookston both know each other well. This Tuesday's game will be a non conference game in the Minot Dome. The Beavers are sitting in the same boat as the Golden Eagles; 0-4. The Beavers were at the Washburn Invitational a weekend ago and lost all four matches, including a loss to No. 8 Washburn University (Kan.).

THAT'S A FAMILIAR NAME. Fans from around the area might know the name Jenna Pahlen. Pahlen is a native of Plummer, Minn., and played High School ball for the Mustangs of Red Lake County Central. Pahlen is now a freshman for the Beavers and has had a good start to the season. Pahlen has played in every set (15) and every match (4) and has exactly 15 kills, which is a kill per set. Pahlen will look to make an impact against a school located only 40 minutes from her hometown.

HECK OF A DEBUT. Man, what a debut it was for freshman Alexandra Koontz. The freshman outside hitter from Earlville, Ill., collected a whopping 20 kills in the Beavers season opening loss to Cameron University. Koontz also hit .349 in that match, which is a career-high. The Beavers will rely on Koontz to provide offense this season.

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS. The Cougars are off to a really good start this season, winning three out of their first four games in Golden, Colo. Their only blunder came at the hands of No. 22 Colorado Mesa in three sets.

AVEREY IS AWESOME. Averey Yaksich is indeed quite awesome. That's evident by her whopping 69 kills through four matches for the Coo, including a career-high 30 in a five set win over Grand Valley State. The redshirt senior from Omaha, Neb., leads the entire NSIC with her 69 kills and is getting almost five kills per set.

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE. Perennial NSIC power once again is looking like they will be at the top half of the NSIC this season. The Mustangs are currently ranked No. 16 in the nation following a 4-0 showing at the Colorado School of Mines Classic, including a win over No. 22 Colorado Mesa in three sets. The Mustangs are legit.

CREAM OF THE CROP. When people think of NSIC Volleyball, there is a good chance that they think of the Mustangs, who have won 20 or more matches in 19 seasons dating back to 1996. SMSU has four NSIC Championships and have been to the NCAA Tournament 15 times dating back to '96, including an National Runners-Up finish in 2014, where they won 26 matches. No doubt, the Mustangs are a powerhouse in the NSIC and will more than likely be at the top once again in 2021.