Golden Eagle Volleyball
Shawn D. Smith, Sports Information Director • 218-281-8414 (work) • 319-431-2545 (cell) • smithsd@umn.edu
AVCA Division II Poll
Players to Watch
AVCA DIvision II Coaches Poll (Oct. 21, 2013)
Stephanie Pearson Outside Hitter
Erin Schwarz Middle Hitter
Alexandra Skeeter Outside Hitter
Golden Eagles By The Numbers
11 Total wins for UMC in 2013, matching their entire season output for 2012 34 Number of wins for the four-year senior class in their careers at UMC 11 Kills for Stephanie Pearson in three sets off the bench Tuesday 193 Block assists in the career of Morgan VanGerpen, which ranks sixth all-time 7th Ranking for UMC in current NSIC standings 116 Number of kills Brittany Looker needs to surpass 1,000 in her career Previewing The Cougars The University of Sioux Falls enters Friday with a 13-8 overall mark and are 5-7 in the NSIC, currently one place behind UMC in the standings. USF is coming off a huge five-set victory Tuesday over No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University. The Cougars are in their third year under former University of Georgia head coach Joel McCartney, who has been a very successful volleyball coach at a variety of collegiate and professional levels. Sioux Falls has been led on the season by 5-11 outside hitter Emily Johnson, who comes in averaging 3.26 kills per set. In addition, 6-1 right side hitter Kate Hart is averaging 2.40 kills per set while middle blocker Michelle Ritland averages 2.10 kills per set. At setter, Alexa Reed comes in averaging 9.33 assists per contest. Defensively, Andrea Odbert is averaging 3.96 digs per set while Jordan Calef leads the block with 0.87 blocks per set.
Previewing The Mustangs The No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs are coming off of a 3-2 loss to Sioux Falls Tuesday. The Mustangs are currently in a tie for second in the NSIC with University of Minnesota Duluth. SMSU’s right side hitter Abbey Thissen leads the Mustangs with 3.68 kills per set while outside hitter Whitney Burmeister is averaging 2.95 kills per set and Claire Sames is averaging 2.85 kills per set. At setter, Emilee Gutzmer is averaging an astounding 11.90 assists per set. Defensively, Rachel Westby is averaging 4.58 digs per set while Sames leads the block with 0.81 blocks per set.
1. Concordia-St. Paul (46) 2. Tampa 3. Central Missouri (2) 4. Minnesota Duluth 5. BYU-Hawai’i 6. Southwest Minnesota State 7. West Texas A&M 8. Western Washington 9. Nebraska-Kearney 10. Wingate 11. Washburn 12. Cal State San Bernardino 13. UC San Diego 14. Sonoma State 15. Truman 16. Colorado School of Mines T-17. Grand Valley State T-17. Wayne State (Neb.) 19. Angelo State 20. Armstrong Atlantic State 21. West Florida 22. Ferris State 23. Fresno Pacific 24. Wheeling Jesuit 25. Northern State (First-place votes) Bold - Schools on Schedule
NSIC Standings (Oct. 24, 2013)
1. Concordia-St. Paul (20-1, 12-0 NSIC) T2. Minnesota Duluth (20-2, 10-2 NSIC) T2. SW Minnesota State (15-5, 10-2 NSIC) 4. Northern State 16-3 (9-3 NSIC) 5. Augustana 16-4 (8-4 NSIC) 6. Wayne State 16-6 (7-5 NSIC) T7. St. Cloud State 12-8 (6-6 NSIC) T7. Minnesota Crookston 11-9 (6-6 NSIC) T9. Sioux Falls 13-8 (5-7 NSIC) T9. MSU Moorhead 12-8 (5-7 NSIC) T9. Minot State 9-12 (5-7 NSIC) T9. Winona State 8-13 (5-7 NSIC) 13. Minnesota State 8-11 (4-8 NSIC) 14. Upper Iowa 6-15 (2-10 NSIC) T15. Bemidji State 5-15 (1-11 NSIC) T15. U-Mary 4-15 (1-11 NSIC) (First-place votes)