UMC Unveils 2016 Volleyball Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially released their 2016 schedule Thurs., May 19. The Golden Eagles will play a 28-match schedule including a 20-match conference schedule and eight-match non-conference slate. The schedule features six matches against teams that competed in the 2015 NCAA Division II Tournament and six games against teams that finished in the final AVCA Top 25 poll.

“Our 2016 schedule is once again very tough,” said Head Coach Lee Anderson. It is highlighted by playing eight teams that were ranked in the Top 25 nationally at one point in the season or that participated in the NCAA Tournament. We are excited to play the level of teams that are on our schedule. Every year we play the top teams not only in our region but in the country. It is great to be part of the NSIC.”

The Golden Eagles are coming off an 8-20 (4-16 NSIC) season. UMC returns an experienced squad with five returning starters, as well as four other student-athletes who saw significant playing time last season. UMC returns 17 players overall, including four student-athletes who redshirted the 2015 season. The Golden Eagles will be led by Maggie Perrel (Jr., OH/RS, New Germany, Minn.), who averaged 2.86 kills and 2.34 digs per set last season. On the block, Kelci Green (Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.) returns after a strong season averaging 1.13 blocks per set, while Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.) returns at setter after averaging 8.41 assists per set. Casey Cashman (Sr., DS/Lib., Ashland, Wis.) led the libero position last season with 3.23 digs per set.

UMC will open the season Sept. 2-3 at the Ferris State University Invitational in Big Rapids, Mich. The Golden Eagles will play NCAA Tournament participant Grand Valley State University Fri., Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. C.T. They will then face Lake Superior State University, who went 0-25 last season, at 2:30 p.m. C.T. The next day of the tournament, UMC will face another NCAA Tournament participant in Cal State University-San Bernardino at 8:30 a.m. C.T. They will finish off the tournament against West Virginia State University, who went 8-18 in 2015, at 1:30 p.m. C.T.

The next weekend, the Golden Eagles will head down Interstate 29 to the University of Sioux Falls Invitational Sept. 9-10. UMC will have their first of three matches against Bemidji State University at 9 a.m. Sept. 9. The Beavers have new leadership with Head Coach Kevin Ulmer after going 7-22 in 2015. UMC will then face South Dakota School of Mines at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 9. The Hardrockers went 8-20 in 2015. The next day, UMC will take on conference foe Sioux Falls, who went 13-16 last season, at 11:30 a.m. They will finish out the tournament at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10 against William Jewell University. William Jewell went 8-23 on the season.

Minnesota Crookston will open up the NSIC season on Sept. 15 at home at Lysaker Gymnasium against University of Minnesota Duluth at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs finished the year ranked No. 10 in the nation.  The match will be the first at home for the 2016 season for the Golden Eagles. UMC will then take on St. Cloud State University at 4 p.m. Sept. 17 in St. Cloud, Minn. The Huskies went 9-19 in 2015.

On Sept. 20, UMC will head to their travel partner to face Bemidji State University for the second time on the season at 7 p.m. in Bemidji, Minn.

The Golden Eagles will then host perennial power Concordia University, St. Paul, an NCAA Tournament Participant who won seven-straight National Championships from 2007-13. The match will be at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium Sept. 23. They will continue their home stand against Minnesota State University-Mankato Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. The Mavericks went 16-13 in 2015.

The Golden Eagles will begin a four-game road stand on Sept. 30. They begin the road stand Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. against Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks went 14-15 in 2015. On Oct. 1, Minnesota Crookston will take on Winona State University at 4 p.m. in Winona, Minn. The Warriors went 20-10 last season.

The next weekend, UMC will trek to Northern State University, who is coming off a great season, going 25-4 overall. The match will take place Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D. The Golden Eagles will then face Minnesota State University Moorhead Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. in Moorhead, Minn. The Dragons went 16-12 last season.

UMC will return home to host University of Mary and Minot State University for homecoming. The Golden Eagles will take on U-Mary at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Marauders went 13-16 last season. They will finish off the weekend against Minot State University at 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Beavers went 3-24 on the 2015 season.

The Golden Eagles will remain at home to take on Bemidji State for the third time on the season Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

UMC will hit the road against Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. against University of Sioux Falls. The Cougars went 13-16 on the 2015 season. They will then take on NCAA Tournament participant Southwest Minnesota State University at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 in Marshall, Minn.

The Golden Eagles will have another four-match home stand beginning Oct. 28. They will face another NCAA Tournament participant in Wayne State College (Neb.) at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The next day, they will battle Augustana University at 4 p.m. The Vikings went 18-11 on the season.

Their last home weekend will feature matches against Upper Iowa and Winona State, their second matches of the season against the two foes. They will face Upper Iowa Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. and will have Senior Day Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. against Winona State University.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up their season Nov. 11 at Concordia-St. Paul at 7 p.m. and Nov. 12 at Minnesota State University at 4 p.m.

Minnesota Crookston will be in their 10^th season under Head Coach Lee Anderson. The Golden Eagles have three seniors with Cashman, Trost and Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.).