MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team will have its first big test in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play this week. The Cougars start the week by hosting North Central University on Friday at 7 p.m. before traveling to the (RV) University of Northwestern on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
 
All matches can be watched on the UMAC Sports Network or by clicking here. To follow the live stats of UMM vs NCU, click here and to follow UMM at UNW click here.
 
Last week, the Cougars played five matches. Minnesota Morris started with a pair of UMAC matches, defeating Crown College and Bethany Lutheran College in straight sets to improve to 3-0 in conference play. The Cougars then competed in the St. Olaf/Carleton Tournament. The tournament started with an upset victory as UMM toppled No. 25 St. Olaf College in five sets. Natalie Wahl was selected to the All-Tournament Team after tallying 32 kills. Sella Fleming earned her fourth straight UMAC Setter of the Week honor with 164 assists.
 
Ella Johnson and Wahl have each surpassed 100 kills on the season, with 138 and 136, respectively. Braxtyn Meyer and Bella Nelson follow with 95 kills apiece. Rounding out the top five is Tori Scheler with 90. The team is hitting .187, with Scheler pacing the team at .299. Fleming is leading the conference with 467 assists, averaging 8.65 per set.
 
Defensively, Rachel Bopp leads the team with 232 digs. Johnson is closing in on 200 digs with 192. Fleming and Wahl follow with 134 and 133 digs, respectively. Scheler had an impressive week at the net, totaling 19 blocks and increasing her season total to 40, second most in the UMAC.
 
North Central enters the weekend with an overall record of 4-6 and is still looking for its first conference win at 0-3. Last week, the Rams were defeated in three sets by Northwestern and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Head coach John Olmanson is in his first season coaching at NCU. Gabbie Ruzek paces the offense with 78 kills, while Autumn Kaczmarek is second on the team with 59. Maia Scheffler has a team-leading 117 digs.
 
In the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, Northwestern received votes. The Eagles hold a 9-4 overall record and are also undefeated in the UMAC at 2-0. Earlier in the week, UNW traveled to No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where they fell in four sets. Head coach Beth Wilmeth is in her 23rd season leading the program. Ana Egge leads the attack with 189 kills. Defensively, Miranda Wyatt leads the conference with 49 blocks, averaging 1.26 per set.