BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary Volleyball Team (1-9, 0-2 NSIC) is back on the road to northern Minnesota for the second weekend in Northern Sun volleyball conference play. The Marauders will take on Bemidji State University (1-9, 0-2 NSIC) Friday, September 16, at 6 pm, and then will head to the University of Minnesota Crookston (1-9, 0-2 NSIC) for a matinee matchup on Saturday, September 17, at 2 pm.
LAST TIME OUT
The UMary Volleyball team opened NSIC conference play home at the McDowell Activity Center last weekend. Friday, September 9, marked a 3-0 sweep defeat to nationally ranked 6
th St. Cloud State. The Marauders showed great effort Saturday, September 10, against 14
th ranked Minnesota Duluth, but still suffered another 3-0 defeat to some of the best volleyball competition in the conference.
THE OPPOSITION
This weekend presents crucial opportunities for victories between the Marauders and both of their opponents, all possessing an 0-2 start in conference play and coincidentally 1-9 records overall. With many players from the 2021 roster returning to this year's squad, the Marauders enjoyed hardy victories over both Bemidji State and UM Crookston last season in the MAC. The Marauders defeated the Beavers of Bemidji State 3-1 on October 22, 2021, and later the Marauders gained another 3-1 victory over the Golden Eagles of Minnesota Crookston on October 23, 2021. The UMary Volleyball team will host both Bemidji State and UM Crookston later this year on the weekend of October 28-29.
The Beavers attack has been led by junior outside hitter Hallie Mertz who reached the century mark 100 kills last weekend against MSU Moorhead. Setters Emily Wade and Hally Holker have both guided the Beavers with their passing, dishing out 144 assists each. Junior defensive specialist Lauren Justesen has dug up 110 balls thus far and ranks 10
th in the NSIC in digs per set with 3.79.
Freshman Audrey Cariveau is already making a noticeable impact for the Golden Eagles with a team high 88 kills and 2.44 kills per set. Helping her cause along with the rest of the UM Crookston attack is the direction of Natalie Koke's passing, 274 assists and 7.61 assists per set mark for 10
th best each in the NSIC. Layne Whaley ranks 11
th in the NSIC with 136 digs and 3.78 per set.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kaia Sueker has already made an incredible impact keeping plays alive in the back row for the Marauders. The sophomore libero from Marshall, MN not only has made outstanding acrobatic plays on the ball, but has done so consistently. Sueker currently ranks 2
nd in the NSIC with 171 digs and averages 4.89 per set. She also is second on the team with 9 service aces.
Nehkyah Ellis has also covered a lot of ground beyond leading the Marauders offensive attack. The senior from Central Point, OR still spearheads the Marauders from the outside with a team high 81 kills, is second to Sueker with 130 digs, and has been very solid from the service line leading the Marauders with 12 aces.
Reyna Isenbart, a junior transfer from Stratton, CO and Otero Junior College, has also showed off a complex skillset with 61 kills, 25 blocks, and 79 digs.
The Marauders have enjoyed the returning middle hitting trio of
Maddie Cooper,
Emily Torborg, and
Alexandria Harper as each have contributed similar statlines. Cooper, a sophomore from Fargo, ND, has belted 59 kills and 24 blocks. Torborg, a junior from Lakeville, MN, has put together 57 kills while collecting 81 digs. Harper, a sophomore from Las Vegas, NV, leads the Marauders with 26 blocks and has also added 43 kills.
Kameron Selvig orchestrates the Marauders offense with 192 assists. Selvig, a sophomore from Jamestown, ND, also has served up 6 aces and dug up 87 balls.
Keep an eye out for
Maddy Freed as the freshman setter from Lawrence, KS, has also helped the Marauders with 68 assists and 11 blocks.
HOW TO WATCH
For live stats and video coverage, the links provided can be found at goumary.com/coverage.
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