UMC Volleyball Picked 14th in NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team was picked to finish 14^th in the NSIC Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll released Wednesday morning. The Golden Eagles were ranked right in a pack of three teams within five votes of each other for 12^thplace with University of Mary and St. Cloud State.

Concordia University, St. Paul, who is two years removed from their last National Championship after winning seven-straight from 2007-13, was picked to finish first with 13 first-place votes. Southwest Minnesota State University was slotted second, while University of Minnesota Duluth was picked third.

Sierra Trost (Sr., S, Ham Lake, Minn.), was named UMC’s Player to Watch. Trost is a four-year starter at the setter position. She averaged 8.41 assists per set as a junior, while also averaging 2.48 digs per set and 0.45 blocks per set. Trost brings consistency to the attack at the setter position for the Golden Eagles.

UMC returns five starters from last season, including Trost. The leading offensive player returning for UMC is Maggie Perrel (R-Jr., OH/RS, New Germany, Minn.), who averaged 2.86 kills per set last season. Also returning is Kelci Green (R-Jr., MH, Anoka, Minn.), who averaged 1.79 kills per set and 1.13 blocks per set.

Defensively, UMC returns Kaycie Hagen (Jr., S/DS, Savage, Minn.) and Casey Cashman (Sr., Lib., Ashland, Wis.). Hagen averaged 2.14 digs per set a season ago, while Cashman is leading returner defensively with 3.23 digs per set.

The Golden Eagles have several other players who gained experience and look primed to make an impact in 2016. Kali Erickson (Sr., OH, Fargo, N.D.), Kassi Green (R-Jr., OH/RS, Anoka, Minn.) and Becca Vandenheuvel (Jr., Lib., Cannon Falls, Minn.) will look to build upon their roles from 2015, as will Alyssa Muelken (Jr., MH, Savage, Minn.).

UMC also returns Sabrina Leuer (So., RS, Hamel, Minn.) and Callie Schapekahm (So., MH, Eagan, Minn.), who both saw limited time in 2015. Redshirts Alex Oakes (R-Fr., Cloquet, Minn.), Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Fr., MH, St. Charles, Minn.), Rachel Freund (R-So., OH, Jordan, Minn.), Ali Schueler (R-Fr., Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) and Emma Melander (R-Fr., OH, Victoria, Minn.) will look to make an impact in 2016.

The lone newcomer for Coach Lee Anderson’s squad is Alyssa Thomas (Fr., OH, Marion, Iowa).

UMC finished 15^th in the NSIC last season with an 8-20 (4-16 NSIC) mark. The Golden Eagles look poised to build upon their finish with a lot of experience returning to the fray. Minnesota Crookston will open up play on the 2016 season Sept. 2 and 3 at the Ferris State Tournament in Big Rapids, Mich. 

2016 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Poll	Points
1. Concordia-St. Paul (13)	219
2. Southwest Minnesota State (1)	194
3. Minnesota Duluth	185
4. Winona State	174
5. Wayne State (2)	171
6. Augustana	169
7. Northern State	148
8. Minnesota State	137
9. Sioux Falls	105
10. MSU Moorhead	101
11. Upper Iowa	73
12. UMary	65
St. Cloud State	65
14. Minnesota Crookston	60
15. Minot State	29
16. Bemidji State	25
first place votes in ( )