BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary Volleyball team returns to Bismarck for their second homestand on September 23-24. The Marauders (2-10, 1-3 NSIC) will play host to Upper Iowa University (7-4, 1-3 NSIC) Friday at 6 pm, and then to Winona State University (4-7, 0-4 NSIC) Saturday at 1 pm  at the McDowell Activity Center.

LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders are returning to the McDowell Activity Center after a two-day stay in northern Minnesota from September 16-17. On Friday, the Marauders suffered a 3-0 defeat (13-25, 12-25, 16-25) to Bemidji State University in a loud and packed BSU gymnasium. UMary, however, would quickly regroup and go the distance with the University of Minnesota Crookston en route to a 3-2 victory (26-28, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 15-13). The Marauders will square off with both Bemidji State and UM Crookston once again later this season October 28-29 in the MAC.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Maddie Cooper is this week's reigning North Dakota Petroleum Foundation UMary Female Athlete of the Week after her performances against Bemidji State and UM Crookston. Cooper led the Marauders attack last Friday with 6 kills while hitting 0.500 in the 3-0 defeat to the Beavers. Saturday was when Cooper dominated the middle against the Golden Eagles, turning in a double-double performance with 12 kills (hitting 0.313) and 12 total blocks. Cooper's 12 kills and blocks alike were both career highs for the sophomore from Fargo, ND. Cooper ranks 2^nd on the team with 77 kills and leads the Marauders with 37 total blocks.

Nehkyah Ellis had one of her best performances Saturday against UM Crookston as she led the Marauders with a season-high total of 16 kills (hitting 0.229) and recorded 21 digs from the back row to earn a double-double. Ellis still poses a threat to opposing defenders as the Marauders leader in kills with 102. She also leads the team with 12 service aces and ranks 2^nd on the team with 157 digs (12^th in the NSIC).

Kaia Sueker continues to stand out as one of the best liberos in the Northern Sun after the first month of competition. Saturday against UM Crookston marked another stellar day for the sophomore from Marshall, MN as she dug up 24 balls, her 2^nd highest total in a match this season. Sueker currently ranks 2^nd in the NSIC with 203 total digs while averaging 4.72 per set.

Kameron Selvig and Maddy Freed both have set the way for the Marauders attack this season. Selvig leads the Marauders with 200 total assists on the season, and Freed follows with 127 total coming off an outstanding 47-assist performance against UM Crookston.

Reyna Isenbart has been a great addition to the UMary volleyball team. The junior transfer ranks 3^rd in kills with 73 and 2^nd in total blocks with 31. Isenbart just missed a double-double performance on Saturday with 11 kills, 9 digs, and 5 total blocks.

Returners Emily Torborg and Alexandria Harper have also made their presence felt in the middle throughout the season. Torborg was another Marauder with a double-double day against Crookston with 11 kills and 12 digs. Torborg, a junior from Lakeville, MN, has had a well-rounded season recording 72 kills, 8 service aces, and 97 digs. Harper, a sophomore from Las Vegas, NV, has started all 12 matches for the Marauders and added 49 kills and 30 blocks from the front row.

THE OPPOSITION
Upper Iowa University is having another solid season from the early goings, holding a 7-4 record and 1-3 in the Northern Sun. Zoe Semelroth leads the attack for the Peacocks with 120 kills. Nicole Pozorski leads the way offensively for the Peacocks with 380 assists (9.05 per set), ranking 9^th in the NSIC.

Winona State University currently stands 4-7 overall and 0-4 in the Northern Sun. The Warriors still pose a threat with Madison Larson and Sidney Paulson amongst the leaders in kills in the NSIC. Larson leads the Warriors with 145 kills, averaging 3.72 per set (5^th in the NSIC), and Paulson is right behind her with 120 kills, averaging 3.00 per set (15^th in the NSIC).

THE STAFF
Abby Pollart is in her second season as head coach of the University of Mary volleyball team. Pollart returned to UMary in 2021 after serving as an assistant coach from 2018-19. Pollart returned with head coaching experience after a successful stint at Central Community College (CCC) in Columbus, NE, from 2019-21. Pollart also has previous coaching experience with Concordia University (NE), and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Also returning for her second season as an assistant coach is Bree Ackerman. Ackerman was a standout libero/defensive specialist for the Wayne State College Wildcats where she was three-time NSIC All-Academic. Jeni Walsh also returns for her third season as an assistant coach for the Marauders. Walsh also serves UMary as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Student Success, and Senior Woman Administrator. Tara Callahan enters her first year as an assistant coach, previously playing collegiately under Pollart at Concordia University where Callahan was a standout setter, ranking second in career assists.

"FIGHT THE STIGMA"
The University of Mary of Volleyball team has teamed up with the University of Mary Soccer team and the UMary Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to promote mental health awareness for this weekend's games. The Marauders have used social media and personal appearances across campus to raise the importance of mental health and how to seek assistance for those struggling.

FOLLOW LIVE
Visit www.goumary.com/coverage for links to webcasts and live stats for all Marauders sports.
 
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