MINOT, ND – The University of Mary volleyball team heads up Highway 83 to take part in the 1st International Bank Homecoming Classic in Minot, ND.

The Marauders open the tournament against the University of Manitoba on Thursday, September 11, at 1 pm and will face Black Hills State University at 5 pm. UMary competes again on Saturday, September 6, against Montana State University Billings at 8 am and then challenges hosts Brandon University at 2 pm.

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

LAST TIME OUT
UMary went 1-3 at the Eagle Classic. UMary defeated Black Hills State 3-1, but fell to Northern State University (3-0), Saint Martin's University (3-1) and Chadron State College (3-0).

Judith Burke led the way for UMary with 16 kills in the Marauders victory over BHS. Maddy Freed led the team in assists (3) and Katie Bleeker had the most digs (21).

STAT LEADERS
Judith Burke leads the team in kills (46) and kills per set (3.29). Burke is also second on the team in digs (24) and digs per set (1.71).

Natalie Boehmer has the most assists (74) and assists per set (5.29).

Shea Barron has recorded the most blocks (9) and blocks per set (1.29).

Katie Bleeker holds a team-best 50 digs and averages 3.57 digs per set.

Dani Highum leads UMary in total points (48.5). She has recorded 43 kills and five aces.

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.

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. 

Madeline Caillicoat 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.

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