BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary volleyball team not only opens their 2018 season this weekend but it is also the debut of new Marauders head coach Korie Lebeda Tetzlaff when UMary plays four games over two days at the MSU Moorhead Microtel and Travelodge Classic.
 
On Friday, Augusta 24, the Marauders play Western State Colorado University  at 10 am and Montana State University Billings at 3:30 pm. UMary begins Saturday with a match against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology at 9 am and will then close out the tournament at 5 pm against host and fellow Northern Sun foe Minnesota State University Moorhead in a non-conference clash.
 
"I'm very excited to get the season started," said Lebeda etzlaff, who also expressed how fun it has been to see the growth of the women on the team through the preseason.
 
Four new coaches along with several freshman and transfers make for a very new look Marauders volleyball team.
 
"Communication is huge" states Lebeda Tetzlaff when discussing being a young coach managing a young team. Lebeda Tetzlaff relies on splitting up duties amongst the assistant coaches to ensure that everyone is fresh and nobody gets burnt out.
 
Serving, passing, defense and team chemistry are some of the early season strengths the Marauders look to show off as the season gets underway on Friday.
 
"Focus on controlling what we can control" has been the team's philosophy early on in the season. Effort and attitude are two big things that Lebeda Tetzlaff believes that her young team can always control, no matter the circumstances.
 
The Marauders will feature a core five players to watch this upcoming season. These players include the only senior on the team, defensive specialist/libero Geovana Almeida, who led the team with 319 digs last season.
 
A trio of sophomores look to make a large impact this season. Outside hitter Natalia Cruz posted an impressive 2.07 kills and 2.31 digs per set as a freshman. Middle hitter Madison Bergthold was second on the team in blocks during her 2017 campaign. Outside hitter Morgan Schnabel, the NSIC Preseason Player to Watch for the Marauders, registered 1.86 kills/set last year.
 
The fifth player looking to make a big impact is Breanna Donarski, a junior defensive specialist/libero who transferred to UMary from Northwest College.
 
The Marauders volleyball team is eager to get the season started. After playing nine games on the road to start the season, UMary will host its home opener against Minnesota State University Moorhead at 6 pm on September 8.
 
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