THIS WEEKEND
The University of Mary volleyball team begins Northern Sun conference play at home in the McDowell Activity Center on September 9th and 10th. The first home matches for the Marauders will provide some of the toughest competition in the NSIC with nationally ranked opponents in #6 St. Cloud State University on Friday night (6 pm) and Saturday afternoon against #14 Minnesota Duluth (2 pm).

RECORD
The Marauders are 1-7 on the season, breaking into the win column last weekend with a 3-0 victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello. With non-conference action now complete, Northern Sun play begins this weekend.  

LAST WEEKEND
The Marauders finished 1-3 at the Gorilla Volleyball Classic. After opening with a win over the Cotton Blossoms, UMary suffered 3-1 losses to host Pittsburg State, New Mexico Highlands and Cameron.

GROWTH
UMary continued to show improvement on the young season after another four match non-conference tournament at the Gorilla Classic hosted by Pittsburg State (KS). The Marauders began the tournament with a clean sweep over Arkansas Monticello (25-19, 25-19, 25-17). UMary controlled the match with the Cotton Blossoms, posting a .264 attack percentage while limiting UAM to a hitting percentage of .045 throughout the three sets. The Marauders then battled 5-3 Pittsburg State closely through four sets before eventually falling to the Gorillas (23-25, 26-24, 28-26, 25-20).
Saturday the 3rd included two set victories for the Marauders, but two more heartbreaking losses to New Mexico Highlands 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-14, 25-23) and later Cameron University 3-1 (19-25, 26-24, 25-22, 26-24). Many Marauders had big days including Nehkyah Ellis (17 kills, 48 digs), Emily Torborg (19 kills, 44 digs), Reyna Isenbart (16 kills, 33 digs), Kameron Selvig (44 assists, 35 digs), and an incredible defensive effort from Kaia Sueker who recorded 59 digs on Saturday.

ON THE PRECIPICE
All three Marauders losses at the Gorilla Classic came right down to the wire. Five of nine sets went to extra points. Seven were decided by two points and one by three.

BALANCED ATTACK
Senior Nehkyah Ellis still commands the Marauders attack bolstering 72 kills (2.48 kills per set) and 83.5 points (2.88 points per set). Ellis has also proven to be a complex player across the court with an impressive defensive effort thus far garnering 116 digs which stands 2nd on the team and has so far been the most effective server for the Marauders with 10 aces. Junior Reyna Isenbart has also shown some strength in the Marauders attack from the outside with 54 kills (1.86 kills per set).

MUSCLE IN THE MIDDLE
The Marauders put up a big block last weekend with Alexandria Harper leading the way. The sophomore was involved in 14 blocks (1 solo, 13 assists). She also averaged 1.86 kills and hit a team-leading .266.Reyna Isenbart added 14 blocks (all assisted) and 2.07 kills. Maddie Cooper made 11 blocks (2 solo)) and averaged 2.0 kills with a .236 hitting percentage.
 
SUEKER'S HOT START
Kaia Sueker is off to an amazing start in the back row for the Marauders. The sophomore libero averages 5.07 digs/set to rank second in the Northern Sun and 36th in NCAA Division II. Against Cameron in the Marauders final match of the Gorilla Classic, Sueker produced 38 digs. The Marshall, MN, native's total was the most in a match since Kenda Hobbs dug 49 balls for UMary against Wayne State College in 2007.

THE COMPETITION
The Huskies of St. Cloud State enter this week nationally ranked #6 and are off to a strong 8-0 start this season after winning their first NSIC Championship in 2021. The Huskies return many from last year's team including All-American Kenzie Foley who leads the Huskies attack currently with 107 kills (4.65 kills per set, 2nd in the NSIC). Foley currently leads the conference with 5.61 points averaged per set.

The ranked #14 Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth are off to an equally impressive start with an 8-0 record behind a well-balanced attack under setter Madison Gordon's direction. Gordon currently ranks second in the NSIC with 353 assists and 11.39 assists per set.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Visit www.goumary.com/coverage for links to webcasts and live stats for all Marauders sports.
 
2022-23 MARAUDERS TICKETING FAQs

• Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online at www.umarytickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan App for iOS and Android mobile devices
• Save money by purchasing tickets online
• $5 discount (minus fees) on tickets purchased online vs. purchases at the gate
• Tickets purchased at the gate are CASH ONLY transactions
• ATMs are located near the main ticketing gates for Marauders home game
• Debit and credit card purchases are online only at www.umarytickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan App
• UMary students and faculty and staff with their MCard are admitted FREE
• Youth 12 and younger with an adult are admitted FREE
• Any youth 12 and under unaccompanied by an adult are charged a $5 admission fee at the gate (cash only)
• All ticket sales are FINAL at time of purchase, whether online or at the gate

 
MARAUDERS HOME GAME TICKET PRICES | Soccer, basketball, hockey, track & field, volleyball and wrestling tickets

• Adults | $10 + fees online and $15 (CASH ONLY) at the gate
• Seniors (65+) and youth 13-18 | $5 + fees online and $10 (CASH ONLY) at the gate
• Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult | Free
• Children 12 and under with no adult present| $5

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