#TIDBITS
Golden Eagle volleyball will play host to the Bemidji State University Beavers this Thursday before they head out to Duluth where they will face the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. This will be the Golden Eagles return to home after their road trip to Sioux Falls, S.D. and Wayne, Neb.
· KAILEE KEEPS DIGGING. The future looks bright in Crookston and Kailee Waasdorp (Fr., West Fargo, N.D.) is a major reason why. The freshman libero has 268 digs, averaging 4.79 digs per set, which puts her at seventh in the NSIC for total digs and fifth in digs per set. Kailee has had 12 or more digs in all but two games all season.
• MADISON MASTERCLASS. Madison Carsten has been a machine in her first season with the Golden Eagles. She leads the team with 136 kills and is averaging 2.47 per set.
· GROWING AS A TEAM. The Golden Eagle volleyball roster has seen a lot of tremendous growth from this roster this season. With seven of the 15 players being true freshmen, they have seen a lot of production from an extremely young group. The blend of youth mixed with having five players that are juniors and seniors has been a major part of allowing them all to grow together.
· DANA DIMES. Dana Melby continues to be a playmaker for the Golden Eagles, as she had another strong weekend with 42 assists over the two games combined. Her 423 assists and 7.55 average assists per set marks 11th in both stats amongst the NSIC.
· CANCER AWARENESS. Minnesota Crookston will host their annual Cancer Awareness match tomorrow night when they host the Beavers. The Golden Eagles will be wearing pink and will also try to help the fight that is cancer. The Golden Eagles encourage the fans to wear pink and help put an end to cancer.
· GET TO 20. Although it was a sweep at the hands of the No. 1 team in the nation last Saturday, the Golden Eagles did something that not many teams were able to do this season: score 20 points. The maroon and gold scored 20 points against the Wildcats this past Saturday, something that has been done just seven times by unranked teams this season. The young Golden Eagles are improving upon our very own eyes this season.
• LAST FOUR TIMES. When the Beavers and Golden Eagles meet, there is a very good chance that it will be a close match. This is the first and only time these two programs will meet this year, somewhat of an oddity between these two programs separated by just 80 miles. The last four times these two teams have met, the match has gone more than three sets, twice going the distance. There's a good chance we could see some drama tomorrow night in Crookston.
· THREE OF FOUR AT HOME. The Golden Eagles will have another homestand this upcoming stretch. The Golden Eagles will host Bemidji State on Thursday and then will be back next weekend against two solid opponents, Winona State and Southwest Minnesota State. The Golden Eagles would love to find some home cooking during this stretch.
Series Quick Look (Bemidji State)
Series Quick Look (University of Minnesota Duluth)
Bemidji State @ Minnesota Crookston
Crookston, Minn. / Lysaker Gymnasium
Oct. 12
6 P.M.
Live Stats: https://goldeneaglesports.com/sidearmstats/wvball/media;category=batting
Watch Live: https://nsicnetwork.com/goldeneaglesports/
Minnesota Crookston @ University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth Minn. / Romano Gymnasium
Oct. 14
4 P.M.
Live Stats: https://umdbulldogs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Watch Live: https://nsicnetwork.com/umdbulldogs/
#OPPONENTOUTLOOK
BEMIDJI STATE. The Beavers are coming into this game with hopes of ending the two game win streak that the Golden Eagles have over them. After a hot start in conference play, 3-1 in their first four games, Bemidji State has fallen on hard times, losing four straight conference games while only winning two sets total across those four games.
ASHLEY ACE. Ashley Crowl is entering the game against the Golden Eagles with 32 service aces, which currently has her ranked second in the NSIC and tied for first with an average of .52 per set. The junior from Lino Lakes, Minn. has been extremely consistent in all areas this season and will look to continue that trend.
SERVICE ACES. It is not just Ashley Cowl who has been getting service aces either, Bemidji State is currently first in the NSIC in service aces with a total of 61. They will look to keep building on that number as the Golden Eagles allow the fifth most service aces in the conference.
MINNESOTA DULUTH. The Bulldogs started hot in non-conference play this year, starting the year 7-1. But it was a different story when conference play started. Through nine conference games, the Bulldogs are sitting at 5-4 and are seventh in the conference standings.
GUIDED BY GORDON. Graduate student Madison Gordon has been a monster this season in the assist department. Her 625 assists ranks her sixth in the conference, while her 10.75 assists per set is currently fourth in the NSIC. Gordon is only 26 assists away from 3000 in her career.
A TALE OF TWO TEAMS. The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles are nearly polar opposites when it comes to the overall team statistics. Each team has their specialties and their stars are going to have to get creative to find ways to showcase their best skills.
LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST. The Golden Eagles will go into Saturday's game hoping to flip the script. Having never beaten the Bulldogs, this young team hopes to showcase their potential and notch that first win against Minnesota Duluth.
