BISMARCK, ND – The 2024 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule kicks off for the University of Mary volleyball team as the Marauders host Augustana University on Friday, September 20, at 6 pm and Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday, September 21, at noon.  

FOLLOW LIVE
Fans can watch live or follow live stats at www.GoUMary.com/coverage

TICKETS FAQ

• Fans who purchase tickets online receive a discount over tickets purchased at the gate. Single game adult volleyball tickets are $10 plus fees when fans buy online at www.UMaryTickets.com or via the Hometown Fan app. Tickets for seniors (ages 65 and older) and youth (ages 13-18) are $5 plus fees.
• Single game volleyball tickets purchased at the gate are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and youth.
• Children under the age of 13 are free when accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children ticket prices are $5.
• Tickets purchased at the gate are CASH ONLY transactions. Debit and credit cards 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.

LAST TIME OUT
UMary (2-6) finished the Rosella Meier Fall Classic with a 1-3 record in the tournament. The Marauders opened the tournament on a Friday with a 3-0 defeat against the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a 3-1 loss to Chadron State College.

UMary returned on Saturday with a 3-0 sweep of Missouri Southern State University before falling 3-0 to Oklahoma Christian University. A balanced attack featuring double-digit kills from Gabby Caskey (11), Charli Blackman (11), and Robi Binagi (10) helped lead the Marauders to victory over MSSU.

SUEKER APPROACHING 1500 DIGS
Kaia Sueker is only eight digs away from reaching 1500 digs for her career as a Marauder. Sueker has recorded 132 digs thus far this season, averaging 4.40 digs per set. The Marshall, MN, native has recorded 451 digs in the past two seasons.

OPPO RESEARCH – AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY
AU is 4-4 to open the season. Sophomore outside hitter Reagan Jansen leads the Vikings in kills with 92. Senior setter Lucy Bartee holds the most assists on the team with 324 and the most digs (86). Junior middle hitter Sydney Tims has 41 blocks on the season to lead AU.

OPPO RESEARCH – SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
SMSU has begun the season with an 8-0 record and is currently ranked #5 in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). The Mustangs attack is led by senior outside hitter Saari Kuehl, who has 99 kills on the season. Freshman setter Sydney Thein leads the team in assists with 314. Junior libero McKenzie Tolk leads SMSU in digs with 149.

MARAUDERS PICKED TO FINISH 12^TH IN THE NSIC
The 2024 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll projected the Marauders to finish 12^th in the Northern Sun this upcoming season. Last season, UMary took 12^th in the NSIC after finishing the season with a 9-19 record overall and a 4-14 record in conference action.

NSIC PLAYER TO WATCH
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced that returning fifth-year senior Maddie Cooper is the player to watch for UMary for the 2024 season. Cooper is the Marauders leading returner from last year in kills (204), kills per set (2.04), blocks (77), blocks per set (0.75), and hitting percentage (.230). The Fargo, ND, native also provided UMary with 24 serving aces and 50 digs last season.

THE STAFF
Abby Pollart returns for her fourth season as the head coach of Marauders Volleyball. Joining Pollart, also for her fourth season in the program, is assistant coach Bree Spenner, as well as Madeleine Callicoat in her first season as a Graduate Assistant Coach.

RETURNERS
The Marauders bring back ten returners from last year's team. Returning alongside Cooper are seniors Kayla Lewinski, McKenna Kirkpatrick, Reyna Isenbart, Robi Binagi, Chloe Lieser and Kaia Sueker. Other returners include junior Maddy Freed and sophomores Chloe Solheid and Karina Hixon.

NEW FACES
Coach Pollart and her staff added three transfers to the mix for the 2024 season. Jenna Lansing (Wartburg College), Gabby Caskey (McCook Community College) and Charli Blackman (Western Nebraska Community College) will each look to make an immediate impact. The 2024 freshman class includes Judith Burke, Aubrey Flynn, Holli Klettheimer, Natalie Boehmer, Shea Barron, Bailey Barnes and Dani Highum.

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