Volleyball | 8/22/2018 1:53:00 PM

Game Notes (pdf)
Microtel and Travelodge Classic Page
Live Stats
Live Video
The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team kicks off the season on Friday by hosting the Microtel and Travelodge Classic. The Dragons finished the 2017 season 9-19 overall and 4-16 NSIC. The Dragons return eight letterwinners and welcome nine newcomers. The six-team, two-day tournament is hosted by MSUM and will take place in the Nemzek Fieldhouse.

The Dragons return four starters, plus their libero and eight letterwinners from last year's team.

Anchoring defense for the Dragons will be senior libero Monica Vega who provided 490 digs last season. Vega currently ranks ninth in digs at MSUM (1,346). Vega was named as the Preseason Player to Watch for the Dragons as they enter their 2018 campaign.

Junior middle blocker Kaylyn Jenkins led the Dragons in 2017 with 216 kills while adding .99 blocks per set. Sophomore middle blocker Kylie Kanwischer led the team with 99 blocks and finished second in the NSIC with 1.08 blocks per set.  

Sophomore Lauren Kiewiet finished her freshman campaign with 253 assists, 173 kills, and chipped in 211 digs. Senior middle blocker Sarah Hagler adds experience at the net after posting 1.25 kills per set last season. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Petrbok will also return to action after providing 1.4 kills per set in 2017. Kiewiet, Vega, and Jenkins will provide pressure from the service line after finishing the 2017 season with 21, 17, and 16 aces respectfully.

The Dragons list nine true freshman on their roster, and will look to seniors Vega and Hagler for guidance and leadership in the upcoming season. The roster of 19 will allow for depth at multiple positions, and will give Head Coach Tammy Blake plenty of line-up options as the season gets under way. Blake returns for her 24th season at the helm, making her the longest tenured head coach in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Up Next
MSUM will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Augustana Invitational August 31-September 1 before conference play begins. The Dragons will take on Lindenwood (M.O.) and Augustana (S.D) day one, and will wrap up the tournament with Black Hills State on Saturday.

Scouting the Opposition...
Minot State University
The Beavers finished the 2017 season with a record of 5-24, and return five starters and their libero from last year's team. Shelby Spuller, a junior outside hitter, was named as an NSIC preseason player to watch after leading the Beavers with 302 kills and 3.1 kills per set in her sophomore campaign. The Beavers return both middle blockers, juniors Emily Falldorf and Hayley Swain, who combined for 136 blocks last season. Senior setter Kelsey Dewulf returns to quarterback the offense after providing 826 assists last season.

University of Mary
The Marauders finished the 2017 season with a record of 8-21, and will be boasting a youthful roster which features 10 underclassmen. Providing leadership for the Marauders will be the lone senior Geovana Almeida who led the team with 319 digs last season. Morgan Schnabel, a sophomore outside hitter, was named as an NSIC preseason player to watch after a freshman campaign which featured 1.86 kills per set.  Adding balance to the offense will be sophomore middle blocker Madison Bergthold who was second on the team last season with .55 blocks per set, and sophomore outside hitter Natalia Cruz who posted 2.07 kills per set and 2.31 digs per set in 2017.

Western State (Colo.)
The Mountaineers are coming off of a 2-25 record in their 2017 season, and will be under the helm of first year head coach Jessica Frey. Returning is sophomore setter Hanna Hendrickson who dished out 724 assists and provided 180 digs in her freshman campaign. Redshirt sophomore Taylor Ferrel led the team with 66 blocks at the middle blocker position while chipping in 153 kills. Defensive specialist Lyria Brook returns after adding 2.22 digs per set in the Mountaineers backcourt.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
The Hardrockers will be looking to first year head coach, Lauren Torvi, to turn things around after finishing 3-25 in their 2017 season. Senior middle blocker Anna Breidt provided 189 kills and 55 blocks in her junior season. Caryn Hazard returns as an outsider hitter who provided 138 kills last season. Setters Emma Echel and Allie Boggs return after providing 483 and 285 assists respectively.