DULUTH, Minn. (cssssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica volleyball team looks to get back on track this weekend when it hosts Bethany Lutheran College on Friday and Martin Luther College on Saturday.
Match Schedule
Friday vs. Bethany Lutheran – 7 p.m.
Saturday vs. Martin Luther – 1 p.m.
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St. Scholastica Saints
Record: 5-8 (2-2 UMAC)
Head Coach: Dana Moore |
-In their first home matches of the season last week, the Saints swept Crown College, but fell to Minnesota Morris in four sets.
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Erika Birkeland (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake HS) is second in the UMAC with a 0.52 service-aces-per-set average. She is also third in the conference with an 8.64 assists-per-set average..
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Gloria Ohaju (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Central HS) is second in the conference with 0.89 blocks-per-set and is fourth with a 0.26 hitting percentage. Ohaju led the Saints with 12 kills in their last contest.
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Kortney Morrin (Grantsburg, Wis./Grantsburg HS (Northern State)) is fifth in the UMAC with a 2.67 kills-per-set average.
-The Saints hope to take advantage of home court, especially in UMAC play. St. Scholastica is 1-1 at home, while just 1-4 on the road. Last season, the Saints were fairly neutral, going 6-4 at home and 7-6 on the road.
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Bethany Lutheran College Vikings
Record: 3-14 (2-2 UMAC)
Head Coach: John Olmanson |
-The Vikings look to build off of their 3-0 victory over North Central last weekend. Previously, Bethany Lutheran had lost seven of their last eight contests.
-Jessi Jurries has played well defensively for the Vikings. Her 4.11 digs-per-set is third in the UMAC so far this season, and she has racked up 230 digs this season.
-Kristen Mielke is fourth in the conference with a 0.81 blocks-per-set average.
-The Vikings have struggled away from home this season, with just a 1-5 record on the road.
-Bethany Lutheran was picked fifth in the UMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Nearly half of the players on the roster are newcomers, yet the Vikings returned seven juniors this year.
Series History: (CSS is 13-8 vs. Bethany Lutheran)
-The Saints have defeated the Vikings in each of their last 10 matchups. Bethany Lutheran has not defeated CSS since 2008. |
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Martin Luther College Knights
Record: 8-8 (2-2 UMAC)
Head Coach: Rebecca Cox |
-The Knights look to rebound after a hard fought 3-2 loss to Northwestern at home last weekend.
-Rebecca Engelbrecht has been an offensive powerhouse for the Knights this year. She leads the UMAC with a 3.85 kills-per-set average and has amassed 231 kills already this year, nearly 60 more than any other player.
-Englebrecht was named UMAC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. This is the third time this season she has received the honor.
-Heather Dannel has also played well for the Knights offensively, with a .321 hitting percentage. That is good for third in the conference.
-Martin Luther was picked third in the UMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Last season, the Knights tied for third with a 10-4 conference record.
Series History: (CSS is 46-30 vs. Martin Luther)
The Saints have fared well against the Knights in recent years, winning nine of the last 10 matches. CSS was victorious 3-2 in their most recent contest in the UMAC Tournament semifinals in Duluth last season. |
