BISMARCK, ND – The University of Mary volleyball team competes in their final games of the season as the Marauders travel to Marshall, MN, to challenge #14 Southwest Minnesota on Friday, November 14, at 6 pm. The Marauders wrap the season up against the University of Sioux Falls on Saturday, November 15, at 2 pm in Sioux Falls, SD.

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

THE RECORD
The Marauders are 6-20 and 3-15 in the Northern Sun this season. UMary is 14^th in the conference standings.

LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders fell in three sets to Augustana University (25-16, 25-20, 25-15) and #5 Wayne State College (25-16, 27-25, 25-8).

STAT LEADERS
Judith Burke leads the team in kills (287), kills per set (3.15), and total points (313.5). She ranks 13^th in the NSIC in total kills and 14^th in kills per set.

Maddy Freed has the most assists (463) on the Marauders. Freed ranks 13^th in the conference in total assists and 11^th in assists per set (6.17).

Holli Klettheimer has the best hitting percentage (.280) on the Marauders and leads the team in blocks per set (0.76). She ranks 18^th in blocks per set in the NSIC.

Katie Bleeker has a team-best 256 digs and averages 2.88 digs per set. 

Dani Highum leads UMary in serving aces (26) and is second on the team in kills (257) and digs (185).

Gabby Caskey holds the most blocks (57) on the team, averaging 0.63 blocks per set.

OPPO RESEARCH – SMSU
SMSU is 19-6 overall and 12-6 in the Northern Sun. The Mustangs are ranked 14^th in the nation and 5^th in the conference. Junior outside hitter Leah Jones leads the team in kills (372) and is second in the NSIC. Sophomore setter Sydney Thein leads the conference in assists with 1,116. Sophomore middle blocker Natalie Pilney has the most blocks (95) on SMSU.

OPPO RESEARCH – USF
USF is 17-9 overall and 12-6 in the NSIC. The Cougars are in sixth place in the conference. Senior outside hitter Sadie Voss has recorded the most kills (321) on the team. Senior setter Elise Gillen has the most assists (557) on USF. Freshman defensive specialist Maci Lerseth leads the Cougars in digs with 307.

THE STAFF
Rob Frost enters his first year as the Marauders head volleyball coach. A native of Ohio, Frost spent the 2024 season as an assistant coach at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN. Frost's head coaching résumé includes leading Bethel University (IN) in 2023 to a 26-7 overall record and a 13-5 mark in conference play. The Pilots reached as high as No. 15 in the national poll and qualified for the NAIA national tournament.

Prior to that, he spent eight seasons (2011-18) as the head coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in Belton, TX. There, he guided the Crusaders to three national tournament appearances and five American Southwest Conference (ASC) West Division championships. 

Maddie Callicoat returns for her second season as an assistant coach for the UMary volleyball program. Last year, Callicoat served as the graduate assistant coach for the Marauders.

RETURNERS
The Marauders bring back 12 returners from last year's team. Returning alongside Freed are Gabby Caskey, Jenna Lansing, Chloe Solheid, Karina Hixon, Judith Burke, Aubrey Flynn, Holli Klettheimer, Dani Highum, Natalie Boehmer, Shea Barron and Bailey Barnes.

NEW FACES
Coach Frost and his staff added five freshmen to the mix for the 2025 season. Abby LeMay, Emma Bixby, Lily Peterson, Myra Newman and Katie Bleeker will each look to make an impact in their first debut college season.

FREED NAMED PLAYER TO WATCH
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced that Maddy Freed was named the Marauders Player to Watch. The senior setter led the Marauders in assists (843), assists per set (9.16) and aces (25). The Lawrence, KS, native also contributed 168 digs and 27 blocks.

MARAUDERS PICKED TO FINISH 14^TH IN THE NSIC
The 2024 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll projected the Marauders to finish 14^th in the conference for this upcoming season. Last year, UMary took 14^th in the NSIC after finishing the season with a 4-22 record overall and a 2-16 record against Northern Sun competition.

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