UMC Volleyball Releases 2017 Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn.– The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially released their 2017 schedule Tues., May 23. The Golden Eagles will play a 28-match schedule including a 20-match conference schedule and an eight-match non-conference slate. The schedule features matches against 7-of-8 participants in the 2016 NCAA Central Regional.

Minnesota Crookston will play 10 matches against the seven teams during the 2017 slate including a match against defending NCAA Division II National Champion Concordia University-St. Paul and two matches against Central Regional finalist Southwest Minnesota State University.

“We were able to put together a great schedule for this fall that will challenge our team each week,” said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. “Our non-conference opponents will be a good test for us and will help prepare us for a very competitive NSIC schedule.”

The Golden Eagles are in their first season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen, who came to Minnesota Crookston after spending the last four years as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University.

Minnesota Crookston posted a 10-18 (6-14 NSIC) mark during the 2016 slate. The Golden Eagles return the majority of their core from last season’s roster as they look to improve on last season’s mark. Minnesota Crookston has five of seven starters returning from last season including their top three attackers from last season in Maggie Perrel (R-Sr., OH, New Germany, Minn.), Kassi Green (R-Sr., OH, Anoka, Minn.) and Kelci Green (R-Sr., MH, Anoka, Minn.). Perrel led the Golden Eagles with 3.50 kills per set, while Kassi Green averaged 2.66 kills and Kelci Green tallied 2.13 kills per set. In addition, the U of M Crookston returns libero Ali Schueler (R-So., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) and Callie Schapekahm (Jr., MH, Eagan, Minn.). Schueler averaged 3.72 digs per set on the season to lead the team defensively. Minnesota Crookston returns 13 student-athletes to the roster.

Southeastern Oklahoma State Tournament – Durant, Okla.

The Golden Eagles will open up the season Sept. 1-2 at the Southeastern Oklahoma State Tournament in Durant, Okla. Minnesota Crookston will have a chance to compete against four very strong opponents from the Central Region in four games.

The U of M Crookston will open the tournament Fri., Sept. 1 at 12 p.m. against University of Central Missouri. The Jennies posted a 23-10 record on the 2016 season, placing fourth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

The Golden Eagles will continue play at the tournament Fri., Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. versus host school Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The Savage Storm posted a 15-17 mark on the year, finishing eighth in the Great American Conference (GAC).

Minnesota Crookston will take on NCAA Central Regional participant Southern Nazarene University Sat., Sept. 2 at 10 a.m. The Crimson Storm went 20-11 on the season and went on to win the GAC Tournament.

The Golden Eagles will conclude the tournament Sat., Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. against Ouachita Baptist University. The Lady Tigers placed second in the GAC with a 23-7 mark, but fell short of a NCAA Central Regional berth.

Northern State Invitational – Aberdeen, S.D.

Minnesota Crookston will continue their non-conference slate at the Northern State Invitational Sept. 8-9 in Aberdeen, S.D. The Golden Eagles will face three NSIC opponents in non-conference action, along with one non-conference opponent in South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

The Golden Eagles open up tournament play Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. against Minot State University. The Beavers went 5-24 on the season. Minot State enters their first season under new Head Coach Dana Cordova, who came to the Beavers from Tiffin University where she was head coach for six seasons.

The U of M Crookston continue play at the tournament Sept. 8 at 4:45 p.m.

against South Dakota Mines. The Hardrockers went 1-28 on the 2016 season.

The Golden Eagles will then play Minnesota State University-Mankato Sat., Sept. 9 at 2:30 p.m. The Mavericks posted a 16-13 record on the season.

Minnesota Crookston will wrap up the tournament Sat., Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. versus host Northern State University. The Wolves went 16-12 on the 2016 season.

Augustana

The Vikings went 22-7 last season on their way to a NCAA Central Regional berth. Augustana will play the Golden Eagles twice of the 2017 season with a game Sat., Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D., and Nov. 3 at a time to be announced later at Lysaker Gymnasium.  The Vikings are in their first season under Head Coach Jenifer Jacobs, who comes over from Augsburg College.  Augustana defeated the Golden Eagles 3-0 in Crookston, Minn., last season.

Bemidji State

Bemidji State University went 7-22 on the 2016 season. Minnesota Crookston will take on the Beavers at Lysaker Gymnasium Tues., Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. They will face Bemidji State in Bemidji, Minn., in a Halloween match-up Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. The Golden Eagles defeated the Beavers twice in conference play, but lost 3-0 in non-conference play during the 2016 season.

Concordia-St. Paul

Concordia University-St. Paul is coming off of their eighth NCAA Division II National Championship in the last 10 years with a 35-2 overall mark. The Golden Eagles will take on the Golden Bears Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.  Concordia-St. Paul defeated Minnesota Crookston twice last season.

Minnesota Duluth

The Golden Eagles will face perennial NSIC power University of Minnesota Duluth Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. in Duluth, Minn. to open conference play. The Bulldogs went 25-5 on the 2016 season on their way to a berth in the NCAA Central Regional, where they lost in the first round to Wayne State College (Neb.). UMD defeated the Golden Eagles 3-0 last season.

Minnesota State

The Golden Eagles also face Minnesota State in non-conference play. The Golden Eagles split with a very strong Maverick program last season, including a 3-2 victory.

Minot State

The Golden Eagles also face Minot State at the Northern State Invitational in non-conference play. Minnesota Crookston will take on the Beavers Fri., Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in Minot, N.D. The Golden Eagles upended Minot State 3-0 last season.

MSU Moorhead

The Dragons are coming off a 10-18 mark on the 2016 season. The Golden Eagles will play their rivals down U.S. Highway 75 Fri., Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. Minnesota Crookston fell in a five-set match 3-2 to the Dragons last season.

Northern State

The Golden Eagles also play the Golden Eagles in non-conference play at the Northern State Invitational. Minnesota Crookston will face Northern State Sat., Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles fell 3-1 to the Wolves last season.

St. Cloud State

Minnesota Crookston will take on St. Cloud State University Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Huskies went 8-21 on the 2016 season. The Golden Eagles defeated the Huskies 3-2 last season.

Sioux Falls

The Golden Eagles will face University of Sioux Falls twice in NSIC play during the 2017 season. The Cougars went 19-10 last season. Minnesota Crookston will take on the Cougars Fri., Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Golden Eagles will then face USF on the road in Sioux Falls, S.D. to close out the 2017 season Sat., Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. The Cougars defeated the Golden Eagles 3-0 in Sioux Falls, S.D. last season.

Southwest Minnesota State

The Golden Eagles will take on perennial NSIC power Southwest Minnesota State twice during the 2017 campaign. The U of M Crookston will take on SMSU Sat., Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium and Fri., Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in Marshall, Minn. The Mustangs posted a 28-6 mark en route to a NCAA Central Regional berth, where they eventually lost in the Championship to eventual National Champion Concordia-St. Paul. Southwest Minnesota State defeated the Golden Eagles 3-0 last season.

U-Mary

University of Mary is coming off a 9-20 mark last season. The Golden Eagles will take on U-Mary on the road in Bismarck, N.D. Sat., Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. Minnesota Crookston defeated the Marauders 3-1 last season.

Upper Iowa

The Golden Eagles will take on Upper Iowa University Sat., Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Peacocks posted a 13-16 record last season. The U of M Crookston split with Upper Iowa last season.

Wayne State

Wayne State, another NSIC volleyball power, went 24-8 last season. The Wildcats will take on the Golden Eagles in Wayne, Neb. Fri., Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. and at Lysaker Gymnasium Nov. 4 at 2 p.m., which will serve as Senior Day for Minnesota Crookston. Wayne State upended the U of M Crookston 3-1 last season.

Winona State

The Golden Eagles will take on Winona State University Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Warriors went 27-6 on the season on their way to the 2016 NCAA Central Regional, where they lost to eventual National Champion Concordia-St. Paul. The Warriors defeated U of M Crookston twice on the 2016 season.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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