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What's Ahead
MOORHEAD, Minn. – After playing its first 11 matches on the road, the 5-6 Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team returns home to Nemzek Hall for the first time this season.
After a tough week opening up NSIC play on the road, there is no place like home for the Dragons.
First, on Tuesday night the Dragons will play host to the Beavers from Minot State. The Beavers are 3-8 so far this season. Last week, Minot State defeated Mary before losing to Winona State and Upper Iowa to open the NSIC Conference season. The Beavers won its first two matches of the season against Black Hills State and Chadron State in the Montana State-Billings Invitational, followed by a six match losing streak before conference play began. Senior setter Emily Byrne has lead the team in assists this season with 445, 10.81 per set.
Next, Winona State comes to Moorhead to face the Dragons on Friday night. The Warriors have used young talent to start off the season 8-1 this season. In the opening week of NSIC play, Winona State defeated Upper Iowa, Minot State, and Mary. The Warriors dominated its competition in the Keweenaw Classic in Houghton, Mich. to open the season, beating four opponents by the combined score of 12-2. Winona State's lone loss this season came at the hands of Lewis in Quincy, Ill. on Sept. 13. In the five major statistical categories, a freshman or sophomore leads the team in each category. Freshman outside hitter Danielle Rampart leads the team in kills with 143 (4.21 per set). Sophomore libero Jami Cairncross leads the team in digs with 155 (4.56 per set).
Finally, MSUM will host Upper Iowa on Saturday afternoon. The Peacocks have opened the season 7-4. Last week, in the first week of NSIC competition, Upper Iowa lost to Winona State before beating Mary and Minot State. In nonconference play, Upper Iowa won three out of four matches at the Kewennaw Classic in Houghton, Mich., followed by a home victory over Saint Joseph's College (IND) and a 1-2 performance at the Maverick Invitational in Mankato, Minn. The Peacocks have been solid defensively, averaging 18.6 digs per set and 1.6 blocks per set. Senior setter Hailey Brown leads the team in assists (256, 5.95 per set) and digs (2.98 per set).
A Look Back at Last Week
The Dragons opened conference play with three matchups on the road last week, dropping matches at Northern State, Minnesota State Mankato, and Concordia-St. Paul.
On Tuesday, the Dragons lost to the Wolves in Aberdeen, S.D. in four sets. MSUM won the first set 25-18, but lost the next three sets 25-21, 25-17, and 25-19 to drop the match 1-3. Senior Maggie Gruber led the team in kills with 16 in the match, a season-high for her. Senior Sam Sullivan posted 23 assists in the loss while junior Amber Krenske had 21 digs and junior Kaitlin VanWinkle had four blocks.
On Friday, MSUM started off quick against Minnesota State Mankato, winning the first two sets 25-18 and 25-13 before dropping the next three sets 25-21, 25-18, and 15-11. VanWinkle posted 14 kills in the match, while junior Casie Baer had 26 assists. Freshman Sydney Foss led the team in digs with 19.
On Saturday, the Dragons lost three straight sets to the seven-time defending National Champion Concorida-St. Paul Golden Bears, 25-7, 25-22, and 25-16. VanWinkle and freshman Claire Grimm led the kills with nine. Senior Sam Sullivan led the team in assists with 13 while sophomore Kelsey Hartkopf led the team with four total blocks.
Homecoming
It's homecoming week at MSUM. There is a total of six sporting events and other numerous opportunities to show your Dragon pride throughout the week. Below is a schedule of Dragon Athletics events:
Tuesday, Sept. 23
-Volleyball vs. Minot State
7 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse
Wednesday, Sept. 24
-Laps for the Long Run (President Anne Blackhurst's Fundraiser)
5:30 p.m. at Nemzek Stadium
Friday, Sept. 26
-Athletic Parent & Family Social
5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott
-Dragon Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner
5:30 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott
-Volleyball vs. Winona State
7 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse
-Dragon Wrestling Social
8 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott
-Burning of the M & Fireworks Coronation
9 p.m. at Nemzek Football practice field
Saturday, Sept. 27
-Homecoming Parade
11 a.m. Circles around Campus
-Dragon Zone Tailgate
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nemzek
-Soccer vs. Augustana
Noon at the Nemzek Soccer Field
-Football vs. Sioux Falls
2 p.m. at the Nemzek Stadium
-Volleyball vs. Upper Iowa
5 p.m. at Nemzek Fieldhouse
Sunday, Sept. 28
-Soccer vs. Wayne State
1 p.m. at the Nemzek Soccer Field
Seniors Shine in Aberdeen
The Dragons' two seniors; Sam Sullivan and Maggie Gruber had one of the their better matches of the season in the loss at Northern State on Sept. 16. In the four set loss, Gruber set season-highs in kills, attacks, and points. She posted 16 kills, 43 attacks, and 17 points. Sullivan set season-highs in assists and kills at 23 and four, respectively.
Defensive Dragons
MSUM Volleyball has remained tough on the defensive side of the court, ranking fifth in blocks and ninth in digs in the conference. The Dragons are averaging 2.12 blocks per set and 15.48 digs per set. Individually, junior Amber Krenske ranks 4th in the NSIC at 4.93 digs per set, while junior Kaitlin VanWinkle ranks fifth in blocks in the NSIC at 1.14 blocks per set.
Foss for the Ace
Freshman Sydney Foss is ranked 4th in the NSIC in service aces, averaging 0.45 per set. She has 19 in total for the Dragons this season, leading the team. Foss has four matches were she has had three aces and has failed to record an ace just twice.
