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The Minnesota Morris volleyball team opens the 2011 season today (Sept. 2), playing the first two of their four games in Steven's Point, Wis. The first serve is set for 3:00 p.m. against St. Catherine.
The Schedule
Sept. 2: Minnesota Morris v. St. Catherine, 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 2: Minnesota Morris v. Illinois Wesleyan, 5:00 p.m.
Sept. 3: Minnesota Morris v. North Central (Ill.), 10:00 a.m.
Sept. 3: Minnesota Morris v. Marian, 4:30 p.m.
The Records (from 2010)
Minnesota Morris – 20-12, 12-3 UMAC / 2nd -T
St. Catherine – 9-20, 6-5 MIAC / 5th
Illinois Wesleyan – 9-18, 0-6 CCIW / 7th-T
North Central – 12-18, 2-5 CCIW / 6th
Marian – 10-22, 6-6 NAC / 6th-T
About Minnesota Morris
Head coach Chad Braegelmann returns for his fourth season, after earning UMAC coach of the year honors in 2010. The Cougars 20 wins were the most since 2003, and their 12 conference wins put them in a second place tie with Northwestern in the final UMAC standings. UMM loses their top-two offensive performers, but returns three players that racked up over 200 kills last season, as well as their setter and libero. In all five starters return from a team that averaged better than 12 kills per set. Before a loss in the UMAC tournament, the Cougars rattled off eight straight wins to close the regular season, which was part of a 13 of 14 stretch over the season's final month.
About St. Catherine
St. Kates may have won just nine games a season ago, but six of those wins came in the final 10 games of the season, as they showed they know how to finish off a season. They went 6-5 in the always tough MIAC, with half of their wins coming in the form of a sweep. The Wildcats were led by Brittni Wangerin last season, who returns after knocking down 298 kills. Callie Tiegen also returns to run the offense, after dishing out 445 assists in 2010.
About Illinois Wesleyan
A disappointing end to the 2010 campaign saw Illinois Wesleyan win just twice in their final 12 matches, with none lasting more than four sets. The Titans averaged 11.1 kills per set, but allowed 11.4, while being out-hit .239-to-.171. A bright spot is the return of Stephanie Buhrow, who led the team with 282 kills in 2010, while connecting at a .276 clip, the best mark on the team for players with over 200 attempts. Her 81 blocks also led the team, with 20 coming as solo efforts. Led by new head coach Kim Nelson-Brown, the Titans will look to return to form of the late 2000's where they had a four year stretch of at least 18 wins.
About North Central
The Cardinals started fast last season, sitting at 5-1 after the season's first six matches. However, a 1-6 stretch followed, with a nine-game losing streak later in the season. Crystal Wright led seven players with 100+ kills last season, and returns for her senior season after tallying 280 kills as a junior. The Cardinals averaged 10.7 kills last season, while limiting their opponents to under four. Ryan Lally also returns to run the offense, after racking up nearly 1300 last season, and over nine per set.
About Marian
After a season long three-match winning streak in mid-October, the Sabres closed out the 2010 season just 1-6 in their final seven games. Two players topped the 200-kill mark last season, and each return, led by team leader Erika Heberer who racked up 227 on the year. The Sabres lost the top setter, with the duties now on Katie Reimer, who finished with just 105 assists last season.
The Cougars open up the home portion of their season next weekend, when they host Mayville State and Mount Marty on Sept. 9 in the P.E. Center. Morris is set to square off first against Mayville State at 4:30 p.m., with their match with Mount Marty scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start. Fans can follow along with all the action from the P.E. Center on Cougar Sports Network.
