MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team will host the top team in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (RV) University of Northwestern on Friday at 7 p.m., before traveling to North Central University for a 1 p.m. match on Saturday.
 
All matches can be watched on the UMAC Sports Network or by clicking here. To follow the live stats of UMM vs UNW, click here and to follow UMM at NCU click here.
 
The Cougars look to bounce back after a pair of four-set losses last week to the University of Wisconsin-Superior and the College of St. Scholastica. In the match against UWS, Ella Johnson led the attack with 13 kills while hitting .353. Natalie Wahl paced the team against St. Scholastica with 12 kills. Sella Fleming earned her sixth UMAC Setter of the Week award after totaling 71 assists. She also led the team defensively with 44 digs.
 
This season, the Cougar attack has been led by Wahl and Johnson, who have recorded 188 and 179 kills, respectively. Braxtyn Meyer follows with 120 kills, while Bella Nelson and Tori Scheler have each recorded 113 kills. Minnesota Morris ranks second in the conference with a .177 hitting percentage. Fleming has directed the offense and surpassed 600 assists, leading the UMAC with 608. The Cougars have tallied 103 service aces, with Wahl recording a team-high 22.
 
Rachel Bopp is closing in on 300 digs this season, leading UMM with 296. Johnson and Fleming follow with 259 and 205, respectively. Wahl has totaled 181 digs in her first season with UMM, and Clara Holden has added 137 digs. At the net, Scheler has recorded 50 blocks, the fifth-most in the UMAC.
 
In the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, Northwestern received votes. The Eagles hold a 14-4 overall record and remain undefeated in the UMAC at 6-0. UNW is riding a five-match winning streak after winning both matches last week in straight sets against Martin Luther College and Bethany Lutheran College. Beth Wilmeth is in her 23rd season coaching the Eagles. Ana Egge leads the conference in kills with 250 on the season. Defensively, Miranda Wyatt is averaging 1.33 blocks per set, the most in the UMAC.
 
North Central enters the weekend with a 4-9 overall record and an 0-6 mark in conference play. The Rams are on a six-match losing streak after falling in straight sets last week to Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther. Head Coach John Olmanson is in his first season at NCU. Gabbie Ruzek leads the team with 98 kills, followed by Autumn Kaczmarek with 75. Defensively, Maia Scheffler leads the team with 171 digs.