BISMARCK, ND - The University of Mary Volleyball team travels to northern Minnesota in search of their first conference wins this weekend. The Marauders will take on Bemidji State Friday at 6 p.m. from the BSU Gymnasium, and then Minnesota Crookston Saturday at 2 p.m. from the UMC Sports Center.
THE RECORDS
The Marauders enter the weekend 4-6 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC after opening the conference season against two top-ten programs in #7 Minnesota Duluth and #6 St. Cloud State.
Bemidji State also enters the weekend 4-6 overall, and 1-1 in conference action. Minnesota Crookston currently stands 2-8 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC.
LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders are also coming off their first homestand of the year this past weekend. #7 UMD handed UMary a 3-0 (25-12, 25-12, 25-14) defeat in the home opener. The Marauders made adjustments in the Saturday contest with #6 SCSU, battling for closer scores in another 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-19) defeat.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
McKenna Kirkpatrick earned NDPF Female Athlete of the Week honors for her performance at the net. Kirkpatrick's 6.0 blocks through 3 sets made her an NSIC weekend statistical leader for blocks per set with 2. Kirkpatrick also had 5.0 alone in the battle against St. Cloud State, helping the Marauders outblock the Huskies 22-10.
Ally Gruber leads the Marauders attack with 105 kills. The senior from Belgrade, MN also has 8 ace serves, 110 digs, and and 12.0 total blocks.
Nehkyah Ellis is also among the top attackers on the squad with 83 kills. Ellis had a solid Saturday performance when she swung for 8 kills on a 0.364 hitting percentage. She also recorded 8 aces, 87 digs, and 10.0 total blocks.
Kameron Selvig paces the Marauders with a team-high 269 assists thus far. The senior from Jamestown, ND also has 9 service aces.
Maddie Cooper still poses a threat in the middle with a team-high 29.0 total blocks and 65 kills.
Reyna Isenbart currently has 62 kills and 25.0 total blocks in the Marauders mix.
Kaia Sueker has passed 125 digs thus far, averaging 4.46 a set.
ABOUT THE BEAVERS
Bemidji State will play at home for the first time this season. The Beavers are showing some improvement this season entering the weekend 4-6 overall, already matching their 2022 win total.
The Beavers are led by a dynamic duo, Ashley Crowl and Hallie Mertz, on the attack. Crowl leads with 107 kills from the outside while Mertz is right next to her with 106. Emily Wade paces a well-balanced attack with 322 assists (7.85 per set).
UMary and Bemidji State split in their two matchups in 2022 with the Beavers winning 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-16) first at home. The Marauders later answered back in the MAC winning 3-1 (25-15, 25-14, 16-25, 25-20) in the 2022 home finale.
UMary Volleyball is 14-16 historically against Bemidji State.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES
With just one senior and plenty of newcomers on the squad, Minnesota Crookston is a young team entering the new season. The Golden Eagles currently stand 2-8 overall and like the Marauders are still searching for their first win in conference play.
Sophomore OH Audrey Cariveau leads the Golden Eagles attack with 72 kills. Mara Weisensel is also a multi-threat in the middle with 62 kills and 16.0 total blocks.
UMary managed to season sweep UMC in 2022. The first matchup was a classic with the Marauders prevailing on the road 3-2 (26-28, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 15-13). UMary later handled business again in the MAC defeating UMC 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-11).
UMary Volleyball is 12-12 historically against Minnesota Crookston.
THE STAFF
Abby Pollart returns for her third season as the head coach of Marauders Volleyball. Joining Pollart also for her third season in the program is Assistant Coach
Bree Spenner, as well as
Thalianette Garcia in her first season as a Graduate Assistant Coach.
FOLLOW ALONG
Both games this weekend will have links to live stats and live video streams which can be found at goumary.com/coverage.
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