Women's Volleyball | 8/11/2025 10:07:00 AM
Burnsville, Minn. – The NSIC announced their annual preseason volleyball coaches' poll on Monday morning. Minnesota Crookston volleyball was picked to finish 15
th this upcoming season by the coaches in the Northern Sun.
The reigning NSIC Champions, St. Cloud State, was picked to finish first with eight first place votes. Concordia-St. Paul and Southwest Minnesota State each earned four first place votes and were picked second and third, respectively. Wayne State College and Northern State round out the top five.
Ella Thompson of St. Cloud State was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year. Thompson is the second straight Husky to be named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.
Backrow standout
Kailee Waasdorp (Jr., DS/Lib., West Fargo, N.D.) was chosen as the Player to Watch for the Golden Eagles. In each of her first two seasons, Waasdorp has back-to-back top ten dig seasons for the Golden Eagles, including 485 a year ago, which put her fifth for digs in a season as a Golden Eagle. The junior finished with a whopping 24 matches with more than 10 digs, including five straight matches with more than 20 digs, becoming the first Golden Eagle to ever do that.
Heading into his fourth season at the helm, head coach
Nick Meseck is grateful to have Waasdorp in his program.
"Kailee is a standout leader both on and off the court. She excels academically, consistently raises the standard in the gym, and embodies the values of selflessness, toughness, and kindness. She comes from a wonderful family, and we're proud to have her as part of our program."
Minnesota Crookston was chosen 15
th after winning seven games a season ago and won four conference games. The Golden Eagles also started 2-0 for the first time in over a decade. The maroon and gold return several standouts this season, including
Madison Carsten (Jr., OH, Wadena, Minn.),
Carizma Muth (R-So., OH, Randolph, Wis.) and
Emma Malek (Jr., MH, Plainfield, Ill.).
Meseck admits it will be a little different team this year, but he is excited to see what his Golden Eagles can do in the NSIC.
"Our team will have a different look this year, and we're excited about the group we have. We believe this team will come together with strong chemistry and a shared sense of purpose. We're looking forward to building something special together and can't wait to get started."
The 2025 season for the Golden Eagles will open on September 4, as they head to the East Coast for four matches, starting with a true road game at Assumption College.
