Tournament Central
MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team returns after a 16-12 2015 season, with a 9-11 mark in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play. MSUM opens 2016 play at the Country Inn & Suites Volleyball Invitational in north central Iowa at Waldorf University Sept. 2-3.
 
The Dragons first play Cardinal Stritch (5-3, 0-0 CCAC) on Friday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. before playing the host Waldorf (1-3, 0-0 NSAA) at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 3 MSUM continues tournament play against Central Methodist (Mo.) (4-2, 0-0 HAAC) at 9:30 a.m., and finish the tournament against Mount Mercy (5-1, 0-0 HAAC) at 1:30 p.m.
 
The Dragons have a new look this year, returning just two starters and four letterwinners, MSUM looks to the upperclassmen for leadership. Senior Katie Meyers, juniors Sydney Foss, Carly Masloski and sophomore Monica Vega are the only Dragons who have played a set for MSUM before. 
 
Masloski returns after an impressive 2015 campaign where she led the offense of the Dragons in attacks with 941, and kills with 347, averaging 3.21 kills/set. She also finished third in total blocks, and sixth in assists. Meyers helped the Dragons serve game last season, dropping in 17 service aces with the third-best serve percentage (.972) from a season ago.
 
After graduating a large senior group, MSUM added 10 new players to the 2016 roster, three of which have experience at the collegiate level. Senior outside hitter Tyann Caspers played for three years at Upper Iowa, while juniors Rachel Sanow and Taylor Liesemeyer join the dragons after stints in the junior college ranks.
 
Blake Braces for 22nd Season…
Head Coach Tammy Blake enters her 22nd season as head coach of the Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball program. Since taking over in Moorhead, Blake has amassed a career record of 359-281, making her the winningest coach in MSUM volleyball history. Blake has lead MSUM to three NSIC Volleyball Championships and three NCAA appearances.
 
Dragons to Face Tough Slate This Season…
MSUM's 28-game 2016 schedule features six matches against teams ranked in the AVCA Preseason Top-25, including five teams inside the top-10. The Dragons play No. 1 Concordia – St. Paul, No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State, No. 6 Wayne State, No. 10 Minnesota Duluth, No. 17 Northern State and No. 21 Winona State. The Dragons also play Augustana who received votes in the preseason poll.
 
Oh Captain, My Captain…
The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team announced its captains for the 2016 season earlier last week. Senior libero/defensive specialist Katie Meyers and junior outside hitter/middle blocker Carley Masloski will be the leaders for the 2016 Dragons team.
 
Up Next…
MSUM makes a trip to southeast Wisconsin and UW-Parkside, participating in the UW-Parkside Tournament. The Dragons play Michigan Tech and Wisconsin-Parkside on Friday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively. On Saturday, Sept. 10 MSUM plays Lake Superior State at 9:30 a.m. and Northern Michigan at 2 p.m.