For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 3, 2017
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
Concordia University, St. Paul Tabbed NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Favorite
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - For the 14th consecutive season the Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears have been picked by the league coaches in the NSIC Preseason Volleyball Poll. The Golden Bears are coming off a season in which they won a share of the NSIC regular season title, the NSIC Tournament Championship and the NCAA National Championship (their eighth in the last ten years). CSP received 10 first place votes to tally 218 points.
Southwest Minnesota State, which shared the NSIC regular season title with CSP last year, was picked second as the Mustangs received 202 points and three first place votes. Minnesota Duluth was picked third in the poll with 201 points and a pair of first place votes while Augustana was fourth with 172 points and one first place vote.
The 2017 NSIC Volleyball season will begin with non-conference matches on Thursday, August 31 while the
NSIC schedule begins Thursday, September 14. The 2017 NSIC regular season champion will be determined by the 20-game conference schedule. The top eight teams will play in the single elimination
NSIC Volleyball Tournament on November 15, 18-19. Quarterfinals will be hosted on campus by the top four seeds while the semifinals and championship will be hosted by the highest remaining seed following the first round of play.
| 2017 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Poll |
Points |
| 1. Concordia-St. Paul (10) |
218 |
| 2. Southwest Minnesota State (3) |
202 |
| 3. Minnesota Duluth (2) |
201 |
| 4. Augustana (1) |
172 |
| 5. Winona State |
171 |
| 6. Wayne State |
157 |
| 7. Sioux Falls |
146 |
| 8. Northern State |
133 |
| 9. Minnesota State |
113 |
| 10. MSU Moorhead |
77 |
| 11. Upper Iowa |
74 |
| 12. Minnesota Crookston |
71 |
| 13. St. Cloud State |
70 |
| 14. UMary |
54 |
| 15. Bemidji State |
46 |
| 16. Minot State |
15 |
| first place votes in ( ) |
|
#1 Taylor Reiss (OH, 5-10, Jr., Taunton, Minn. / Minneota HS)
Southwest Minnesota State
- Named First Team All-NSIC and NSIC Player of the Year in 2016
- AVCA All-American First Team
- D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year
- Named to D2CCA First Team All-Region
- Named to AVCA Central Region First Team
- Set SMSU record for kills in four sets with 35 kills vs. Lewis (Ill.)
- Had career high .643 attack percentage vs. Upper Iowa
- Had career high 19 digs vs MSU Moorhead
- Record 19 double-double performances last season
- Reached double digit kills in all 34 matches
- Finished 2016 ranked third in NCAA in kills per set (4.89)
- 2015 NSIC and AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year
- Two-time All-NSIC First Team selection
- Named NSIC Player of the Week four times in career
NSIC Volleyball Season Previews and Players to Watch
| Augustana University Vikings |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 27-6, 17-3 NSIC |
5 |
10 |
t-2nd NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The Augustana University volleyball team returns five starters and 10 letter winners to a team that won 27 games in 2016, reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished tied for second place in the NSIC standings.
The Vikings will be led by first-year head coach Jennifer Jacobs who comes to Augustana after spending the last five seasons as an assistant volleyball coach at Augsburg College. During her time at Augsburg, the volleyball team compiled a 105-42 record, including back-to-back seasons of 20-plus wins in 2013 and 2014. Jacobs brings an extensive background in junior Olympics club volleyball and high school coaching.
The Vikings return seniors Tahlyr Banks and Bailey Kock as well as junior Courtney Place who were each selected to the All-NSIC first team in 2016.
Banks, who was tabbed the 2016 NSIC Libero of the Year, set a single-season school record for digs in a season with 662 against No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and earned a digs per set average of 5.30 which was the fourth highest single-season average in school history.
Also, Banks was named to the Daktronics/D2CCA All-Central Region first team, and was an honorable mention on the AVCA Division II All-Region team.
Banks and junior outside hitter Lauren Waite were selected to the 2016 NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team.
Augustana also returns five athletes who earned Academic All-NSIC honors. |
| Player to Watch |
| #7 Tahlyr Banks (Libero, 5’6”, Sr. Omaha, Neb., Gross Catholic HS) |
| First Week (Oredigger Classic – Colorado School of Mines, Golden Colo.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. CSU San Bernardino – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Regis – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Rollins College – 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Eastern New Mexico – 6:30 p.m. |
| Bemidji State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 7-22, 3-17 NSIC |
3 |
5 |
15th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The 2017 season will provide a new look to followers of the Bemidji State volleyball program. In Head Coach Kevin Ulmer’s second year, the majority of the team has yet to don a Beavers jersey on the court. Five letter winners return to the squad, which includes three regular starters, while 10 newcomers also join the program. The Beavers progressed from 2015 to 2016 with improvements in hitting efficiency and blocking. BSU Preseason Player to Watch Julie Touchett will aim to help improve the both facets further in her second season with the program. She finished her freshman campaign second on the team with 64 total blocks and third with 139 kills and 21 service aces.
Sophomores Emma Hallman and Shelby Haney also return for their second seasons after ranking among the top 20 in the NSIC in multiple categories. Hallman totaled 3.35 digs per set to rank 19th in the conference while Haney totaled 7.72 assists per game to rank 14th and 0.33 service aces per set to rank 13th.
Despite losing two seniors with at least 3.4 kills per set in 2016, the fresh blood will provide BSU an opportunity to increase the competition level in the gym and provide depth on match day. The squad will need to continue its labors towards unity, competitiveness and effort to climb up in the toughest volleyball conference in the nation. |
| Player to Watch |
| #12 Julie Touchett (MB, 6-0, So., Verona, Wis. / Verona HS) |
| First Week (Minot Tournament – Minot State University – Minot, N.D.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. SD School of Mines – 11 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. MSU Moorhead – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Montana State Billings – 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Minot State – 5 p.m. |
| Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 35-2, 18-2 NSIC |
3 |
8 |
t-1st NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Last season, the Golden Bears claimed their eighth NCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship in the last 10 seasons as they finished the season strong by winning their final 19 matches, including 36 of the final 37 sets of the season. In addition to winning the title, CSP also grabbed their 13th NSIC regular season crown in 14 seasons under head coach Brady Starkey as well as their fifth NSIC Tournament crown and second in as many years.
Concordia will trot out something of a new look lineup in 2017 after graduating a senior class that featured five former All-Americans from last season’s championship squad. One familiar face will be senior outside hitter Mariya Sampson. Sampson has been a steady contributor to the Golden Bear attack in her three years on campus and is coming off a season in which she ranked fourth on the team with 223 kills and 2.97 kills per set. CSP also returns the duo of senior Shelby Seurer and sophomore Sara Macek in the middle after the two shared time at the position last season. Seurer provided a formidable presence in the middle as she put up a team-best 1.15 blocks per set in 20 matches while Macek gave the Golden Bears another efficient hitter as she hit .456 with 2.38 kills per set in her 19 appearances on the year.
The Golden Bears will once again navigate a tough schedule with 10 matches against teams that finished inside the top-25 in the final AVCA poll last year, including three in the opening two weekends of the season in the non-conference slate. |
| Player to Watch |
| #8 Mariya Sampson, (OH, 6-0, Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Champlin Park HS) |
| First Week (Florida Southern & Tampa Tournament – Lakeland & Tampa, Fla.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Western Washington – 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Florida Southern – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Central Washington – 12:45 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Tampa – 7 p.m. |
| University of Mary Marauders |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 9-20, 4-16 NSIC |
2 |
7 |
13th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Just two primary starters return for the University of Mary but senior outside hitters Lauren Randall and Freddie Campbell play big roles of the Marauders attack. A Burnsville, Minn., native, Randall was second in the Northern Sun last season in kills per set (4.42) and points per set (4.96), easily leading the Marauders in both categories. The explosive attacker twice reached 30+ kills in a match last year. The four-year starter was fourth on the team in digs with 2.38/set. Campbell was third on the Marauders in kills with 1.94/set. Her .220 attack percentage was one of the top marks on the team. Two other seniors can also play key roles. The versatile Katelyn Olson can move between setting and attacking from the right side and a healthy Rachell Vargas-Comme will provide an inside attack and strong defense. Junior Geovanna Almeida, who averaged 2.43 digs/set and was second in aces with 33, will anchor the Marauders back line. Several new faces will also have a chance to contribute to head coach Thais Franca’s squad, including junior setter Amanda Lopes and freshman outside hitter Natalia Cruz. Lopes was an all-conference setter at Seward County Community College and Lopes represented Puerto Rico at the FIVB U-17 World Championships. |
| Player to Watch |
| #20 Lauren Randall (OH, 6-0, Sr., Burnsville, Minn. / Burnsville HS) |
| First Week (Bulldog Bash – Concordia University – Seward, Neb.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Northwestern (Iowa) College – 3 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 at Concordia (Neb.) University – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Missouri Southern State University – 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Chadron (Neb.) State College – 2 p.m. |
| University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 10-18, 6-14 NSIC |
5 |
12 |
11th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Minnesota Crookston enters their first season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen in 2017. Rauen comes to the Golden Eagles after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University.
The U of M Crookston has a strong core returning to the fold with five starters returning to the fray for 2017. The Golden Eagles will look to Player to Watch Kassi Green to lead the way. Green, an outside hitter, averaged 2.13 kills per set and hit .133 as a redshirt junior in 2016. Minnesota Crookston also returns her identical twin Kelci Green, who will anchor the middle for the Golden Eagles. Kelci Green tallied 2.13 kills per set and hit .324 on the season. She led the team with 0.78 blocks per set. In addition, redshirt senior outside hitter Maggie Perrel returns. Perrel led the team with 3.50 kills per set as a redshirt junior. The Golden Eagles also return libero Ali Schueler and middle hitter Callie Schapekahm as starters.
Minnesota Crookston will look to improve upon their 10-18 mark last season. The Golden Eagles tallied a 6-14 conference mark last season led by a key conference victory over Minnesota State University-Mankato. |
| Player to Watch |
| #11 Kassi Green, (OH, 5-9, R-Sr., Anoka, Minn. / Anoka HS) |
| First Week (South Central Classic – Southeastern Oklahoma State – Durant, Okla.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Central Missouri – 12 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 at Southeastern Oklahoma State – 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Southern Nazarene – 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Ouachita Baptist – 2 p.m. |
| University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 25-5, 17-3 NSIC |
4 |
10 |
t-3rd NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| UMD returns four starters from last year's club that went 25-5 overall (rallying off 21 straight wins to start the season), was ranked seventh in the final AVCA II Poll and advanced to the NCAA II Tournament after a rare one-year absence. That quintet includes AVCA All-American honorable mention pick Sarah Kelly, a who was a main component of an efficient offense, swinging at a Bulldog-best .360 hitting percentage (the 24th best mark in the country. The 2-16 All-NSIC first team right side hitter also set career marks in kills (323), kills per set (2.99), total blocks (68) and raised her points per set (3.57) by more than a point from a season ago. Also back to stabilize the front court are a pair of NSIC second team selections in junior outside hitter Makenzie Morgan, who paced the team in kills (342) during her debut Bulldog season and senior middle blocker Allison Olley, who owned a .359 attack percentage and notched a team-high 18 solo blocks (110 total). Feeding that trio the ball will sophomore setter Emily Torve, who finished second in NSIC play with 12.17 assists per set. The reigning NSIC Freshman Player of the Year, Torve ranked fourth nationally in assists per set (11.90) while leading the Bulldog offense to a .281 hitting clip – the fifth best mark in the nation. |
| Player to Watch |
| 9 Sarah Kelly (RS, 5-11, Jr., Chaska, Minn. / Chaska HS) |
| First Week (Nova Southeastern Invitational – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Saint Anselm– 1:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Nova Southeastern – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. American International – 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Saint Leo – 3:30 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 16-13, 10-10 NSIC |
3 |
7 |
8th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
The Minnesota State volleyball returns after posting a 16-13 record from a season ago, including a 10-10 record in NSIC play. The Mavericks finished their 2016 regular season schedule with seven wins in their final eight games to advance on the NSIC Tournament for the third straight season.
MSU will see several key contributors from last season’s squad return, including a pair of outside hitters in junior Sydney Powell and sophomore Morgan Olson. Powell finished the 2016 season second on the team in kills with 236, while Olson ranked third on the team in kills with 218 during her freshman season. Powell also finished third on the team in total blocks with 48, with Olson following in fourth with 37. Olson recorded at least 10 kills in 10 matches last season, including a season-high 20 kills against St. Cloud State. Powell notched a career-high 28 kills against MSU Moorhead.
Junior setter Autumn Risch also returns for the Mavericks after lead MSU in assists with 1,157. Risch also recorded 19 service aces and finished third on the team in digs with 217. Against MSU Moorhead, Risch passed out a career-high 62 assists. She also passed out at least 50 assists in six matches. |
| Player to Watch |
| #10 Morgan Olson, (OH, 5-11, So., Annandale, Minn. / Annandale) |
| First Week (Warrior Invitational – Wayne State (Mich.) – Detroit, Mich.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside – 12:15 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 at Wayne State – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Gannon – 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Ohio Dominican – 3:45 p.m. |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 10-18, 5-15 NSIC |
3 |
7 |
12th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| MSUM returns three starters plus its libero from the 2016 season. Junior libero Monica Vega, listed as MSUM’s Preseason Player to Watch, returns after leading the team with 583 digs (5.5 per set) a year ago. She was a two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the Week. Also returning are sophomore hitter Sarah Hagler, who was second on the team with 224 kills and led with 93 blocks, sophomore Courtney Selbitschka (182 kills in 2016) and sophomore Ellie Rutten (162 kills). |
| Player to Watch |
| # 2 Monica Vega (DS/L, 5-5, Jr., Ada, Minn. / Ada-Borup) |
| First Week (Minot State Classic – Minot, N.D., Sept. 1-2) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. MSU Billings
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Bemidji State
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Minot State
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. South Dakota School of Mines |
| Minot State University Beavers |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 5-24, 0-20 NSIC |
6 |
8 |
16th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Minot State enter their first season with head coach Dana Cordova leading the program. The Beavers finished winless in the Northern Sun and went 5-24 in 2016. Minot State will need to replace two graduated seniors from last year’s squad, setter Janelle Nagy and libero Cindy Pelo. Minot State returns seven players who started 10 or more matches last season, including Preseason Player to Watch Brileigh Boyce. Boyce enters her junior campaign after recording 84 kills, 55 digs and 23 blocks her sophomore season. The Beavers also return their top two attackers in Shelby Spuller and Emily Falldorf, who finished with 221 and 200 kills, respectively to lead the team. Junior Kelsey Dewulf totaled 526 assists last season and will be expected to pace the Beaver offense this season. The program also returns sophomores Hayley Swain, Nicole Wondrasek and Shae Pedersen. Swain netted 143 kills and 17 in her freshman campaign. Wondrasek recorded 42 kills and 23 blocks, while Pedersen notched 114 kills and 17 service aces last season. Reserve outside hitter Jeanne Brenner will provide depth off the bench after posting 25 kills and 10 blocks last season. Minot State opens the 2017 season hosting the Minot State Classic on Sept. 1-2. |
| Player to Watch |
| 3 Brileigh Boyce, (OH, 5’7, Jr., Houston, Texas / Heritage HS) |
| First Week (Minot State Classic – Minot State University - Minot, N.D.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology – 3 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Montana State University Billings – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Minnesota University Moorhead – 11 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Bemidji State University – 5 p.m. |
| Northern State University Wolves |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 16-12, 9-11 NSIC |
4 |
6 |
9th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Northern enters the 2017 season with seven players from the 2016 roster, as well as seven newcomers. The Wolves remained in the AVCA Top-25 Poll throughout the 2016 season, finishing the year ranked No. 21 overall. They tallied 11 games against Top-25 opponents with wins over No. 5 Western Washington and No. 4 Wayne State. With just three seniors in 2016, two of which had seen little time previously, the Wolves relied on their younger players to step up. Holly Vancura appeared in all 28 matches in 2016, leading the team with 319 kills. She also recorded a team second best 332 digs. Ashley Rozell quickly became comfortable in the starting setter role, earning NSIC Player of the Week honors and leading the team with 1,224 assists. She also recorded a team leading 42 service aces. She was nabbed as the Northern State player to watch in just her second season with the Wolves. Freshman Jaiden Langlie and Jenna Reiff also saw significant time, appearing in all 28 matches. Reiff hit .250 on the outside as a freshman, while Langlie averaged 3.76 digs per set with a team leading 387 as the libero. Hailey Busch returns to the NSU sidelines after appearing in 82 sets as a freshman with 167 kills. The Wolves will look to Busch as a leader on the outside. Northern opens the season on the road at the Oredigger Classic, before returning home for the Max & Erma’s Classic from the Barnett Center on September 8-9. |
| Player to Watch |
| #8 Ashley Rozell (S, 5-11, R-So., Warner, S.D. / Warner HS) |
| First Week (Oredigger Classic – Golden, Colo.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Texas Woman’s University – 12 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Cal State-San Bernardino – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Rollins College – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Colorado School of Mines – 8:30 p.m. |
| University of Sioux Falls Cougars |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 19-10, 13-7 NSIC |
4 |
8 |
7th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| University of Sioux Falls Volleyball continues to claw their way into the elite of the top NCAA Division II volleyball conference. The Cougars return four of their seven starters from the 2016 squad, which finished seventh in the NSIC one year ago. After hitting .235 as a team (seventh in the NSIC) in conference play a year ago, the Cougars bring back three of their top four attackers for 2016. Junior Bria Barfnecht was tabbed as Player to Watch after posting 248 kills (2.36 per set) at a .279 attack percentage with 84 total blocks from her right side position. Joining Barfnecht on the front line are fellow juniors and returning All-NSIC second team performers Makenna Rockeman and Lexi Scott. Rockeman ranked third in the NSIC in kills per set (3.71) and points per set (4.36) while Scott let the Cougars with a .363 attack percentage on nearly three kills a set. Defensively, Scott was instrumental for USF’s top blocking defense in the NSIC with 2.36 blocks per set, which ranked 12th nationally, as she had 0.97 per set throughout the season. USF’s veteran presence will be provided by fourth-year players in setter Sydney Schaap and libero Janelle Lam. Schaap started all 29 matches last year and dished out 10.22 assists per set, including 61 in a five-set victory at No. 1 Minnesota Duluth. Lam started 23 matches last season and was fourth on the Cougars with 188 digs and added 20 service aces. |
| Player to Watch |
| #15 Bria Barfnecht, (OPP, 5-10, Jr., Delano, Minn. / Delano HS) |
| First Week (Country Inn & Suites Invitational – Sioux Falls, S.D.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Black Hills State – 2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Fort Hays State – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. William Jewell – 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 7 p.m. |
| Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 28-6, 18-2 NSIC |
3 |
9 |
t-1st NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Southwest Minnesota State will look to continue its success in the NSIC and regionally as it preps for the 2017 season. SMSU, which has not finished lower than fourth in the NSIC standings since 2003, is coming off a 28-6 season in 2016, in which the team won a share of the NSIC regular season title and advanced to the championship match of the NCAA Central Region. Four of SMSU’s six losses came to teams ranked No. 1 in the country.
The Mustangs return three All-NSIC players from last season, including NSIC Offensive Player of the Year, Taylor Reiss. Reiss, a first team All-American in 2016, led SMSU with 577 kills, averaging 4.8 per set, while recording 347 digs. Also returning is All-American setter, Megan Larson, who amassed a Division II best 12.86 assists per set last season, finishing with a total of 1,517. Kaylee Burmeister, another returning All-NSIC performer, ranked third on the squad last season with 334 kills, while finishing second on the team with 358 digs.
As a team last season, SMSU led Division II in assists per game (14.2) and kills per set (15.08). |
| Player to Watch |
| # 1 Taylor Reiss, (OH, 5-10, Jr., Taunton, Minn. / Minneota HS) |
| First Week (West Florida University - Pensacola, Fla.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. North Alabama – 9 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Wheeling Jesuit – 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Southern Indiana – 9 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. West Florida – 3:30 p.m. |
| St. Cloud State University Huskies |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2015 |
| 8-21, 3-17 NSIC |
3 |
8 |
t-14th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| St. Cloud State’s volleyball team will rely heavily on the programs eight returning letterwinners including three returning starters to lead the program in 2017 with only three true seniors on the roster. The program will be led by sophomore Clara Krentz, who ranked seventh in the NSIC in digs in her rookie season with 447 and is an NSIC Player To Watch this season. Also returning is senior Nicole Miller, who placed third in the league with her 45 service aces. Junior Micah Nier led the team in blocks (59), while ranking third on the team last year in both kills (155) and total points (185.5). The team also brings in eight newcomers including in-conference transfers setter Kayla Crane and outside hitter Emma Melander. Head Coach Chad Braegelmann is in his third season leading the program.The team starts the season on the road with a trip to California to play in the the Cougar Classic in San Marcos, Calif. along with the season opening contest against Saint Katherine College also in San Marcos. The program also participates in the Michigan Tech Classic from Sept. 8-9 before returning home to take on Bemidji State on Sept. 14 in both the home and the NSIC league opener. The program has 10 home matches this season with all of them being NSIC opponents. |
| Player to Watch |
| #15 Clara Krenz, (L, 5-5, So., St. Paul, Minn. / North St. Paul) |
| First Week |
Thursday, Aug. 31 vs. Saint Katherine College – 4 p.m.
The Cougar Classic
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Saint Martin’s University – 12 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 at Cal State San Marcos – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Adelphi University – 2 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Fresno Pacific – 4 p.m. |
| Upper Iowa University Peacocks |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 13-16, 7-13 NSIC |
4 |
9 |
10th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Head Coach Aaron Nelson will bring a young, but experienced muster of Peacocks into the 2017 season. Senior Ashley Larson (Libero) was named a NSIC Player to Watch after leading the back line defense with 422 digs in 2016. Nine letter winners from the 2016 campaign are set to return with Larson being the only senior in the group. Haley Poula (So./OH) and Anna Winter (So./OH) combined for 279 kills as freshmen last season; Poula was named the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week once in 2016. A pair of setters will return to pace the attack for UIU; Malissa LeClaire (Jr.) and Carlee Ketchum (So.) handed out 577 and 384 assists, respectively. Beth Lovhaug (Jr.) registered 80 blocks and 110 kills on the season, while Gabby Holmes (So./DS/204 digs), Haley Weepie (So./OH/69 kills) and Lauren Wombles (Jr./MH/54 kills/23 blocks) all made solid contributions on the floor. After a pair of tournaments on the road to open the season, the Peacocks will begin play in the NSIC at Concordia University, St. Paul before their first home match in Dorman Gym on Sept. 16 against Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Upper Iowa finished in 10th place in the powerhouse NSIC conference in 2016. The Peacocks went 13-16 overall and 7-13 in the Northern Sun. UIU dropped all nine matches against AVCA Top 25 teams during the season, but posted a 13-7 record against all other opponents. |
| Player to Watch |
| #10 Ashley Larson (Libero, 5-6, Sr., Sumner, Iowa / Sumner-Fredericksburg HS) |
| First Week (Ferris State Invitational - Big Rapids, Mich.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Quincy - 2 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Grand Valley State - 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Northern Michigan - 12 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Davenport - 4 p.m. |
| Wayne State College Wildcats |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 24-8, 14-6 NSIC |
4 |
9 |
6th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
| Wayne State advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the 11th time in the last 12 years last season by finishing 24-8 overall and 14-6 in the NSIC. The Wildcats will have to replace three starters and two All-NSIC selections that included three time All-American Alyssa Frauendorfer and Michaela Mestl, the all-time WSC leader in service aces and third in career digs. The cupboard is not completely bare at WSC as the Wildcats return four starters and nine letter winners, led by senior right side hitter Erin Gross who averaged 2.50 kills per set and was a Second Team All-NSIC honoree. The only other senior on the Wildcat roster this season is defensive specialist Bree Ackermann who averaged 1.56 digs per set while playing all 32 matches last season. Other returning starters include junior setter Megan Gebhardt, who accounted for 10.13 assists per set, sophomore Haley Kauth at libero who ranked ninth in the NSIC last season in digs per set (4.17) and sophomore Tarrin Beller at outside hitter who produced 1.53 kills and 1.48 digs per set. This year’s Wildcat squad will be young as the 17-player roster only features two seniors and three juniors to go with four sophomores, one redshirt freshman and seven true freshmen who will be asked to contribute to the success of this year’s team. |
| Player to Watch |
| # 14 Erin Gross (MH/RS, 6’1”, Sr., Tekamah, Neb. / Tekamah-Herman HS) |
| First Week (Oredigger Classic – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, Colo.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Rollins (Fla.) – 11:00 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs. Eastern New Mexico– 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Western New Mexico– 9 a.m.
Saturday, Sept 2 vs. Cal State-San Bernardino – 1:00 p.m. |
| Winona State University Warriors |
| Last Year |
Returning Starters |
Letterwinners |
2016 |
| 27-6, 16-4 NSIC |
6 |
11 |
5th NSIC |
| Team Preview |
Last season Winona State had arguably their best season in program history. For the first time in school history, the Warriors qualified for the NCAA Tournament, winning a match for the first time ever as well. When the season ended, the Warriors were ranked fourth in the AVCA Final Poll, their highest ranking in school history.
This season looks bright as six starters are set to return in 2017, including All-American setter McKenna Larsen. Also back are All-Central Region Tournament performers Taylor Goar and Danielle Rampart. Lauren Kudronowicz, a NSIC Second Team performer gives the Warriors four all-conference returners to work with in 2017.
The Warriors hit .246 last season as a team, 19th in the nation. Winona State was third in the country in kills per set and fifth in the country in assists per set. In total the Warriors ranked in the top-50 in the nation in nine categories.
Heading into the season the Warriors have their eyes set on making a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. The 27 wins in 2016 were the second most wins in a single season. The Warriors did set a school record with a .818 winning percentage. The six seniors on the Winona State roster give the Warriors depth and experience. There is also a group of young talent and newcomers that will add to the strong core that is returning, looking to build on the historic 2017 season. |
| Player to Watch |
| #8 McKenna Larsen (S, 5’7, Jr., Oconto Falls, Wis. / Oconto Falls HS) |
| First Week (Concordia Irvine Tournament – Irvine, Calif.) |
Friday, Sept. 1 vs Cal State-Stanislaus – Irvine, Calif.
Friday, Sept. 1 vs McKendree – Irvine, Calif.
Saturday, Sept. 2 at Concordia Irvine – Irvine, Calif.
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs California Baptist – Irvine, Calif. |
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