UMC Volleyball Announces 2018 Spring Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially opens up their 2018 spring slate March 24. The Golden Eagles will play three individual games and an all-day tournament.

Minnesota Crookston heads to Minnesota State University Moorhead to open their spring schedule Sat., March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Moorhead, Minn. The Golden Eagles will then host University of North Dakota at Lysaker Gymnasium Wed., April 4 at 5:30 p.m. Minnesota Crookston will return the trip to UND Wed., April 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Golden Eagles wrap up their 2018 spring schedule Sat., April 21 with an all-day tournament at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn.

The Golden Eagles are entering their second season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen in 2018. Also returning to the fray is assistant coach Anna Morgan, who is back for a second season. Minnesota Crookston returns nine players from the 2017 squad. The Golden Eagles welcome back two players who started over 20 games in Callie Schapekahm (Sr., MH, Eagan, Minn.) and Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Jr., RS, St. Charles, Minn.). In addition, Ali Schueler (R-Jr., Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) and Deaira Gresham (So., OH, Maplewood, Minn.) also saw time in the starting line-up. Katie Lienemann (So., Lib.) and Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S) both saw time in their inaugural campaigns at Minnesota Crookston and will see more time this spring. Lauren Wallace (R-Fr., RS, Bloomington, Minn.) and Alyssa Thomas (R-So., OH, Marion, Iowa) will both see their first game action during the spring season. Sabrina Leuer (R-Jr., OH, Hamel, Minn.) redshirted last season due to injury and will be a key piece on the outside for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston posted a 7-21 mark in 2017 and look to improve upon that mark heading into the 2018 season.