By Hunter Plante (UMC Athletic Department)
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) office released its annual NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Minnesota Crookston was picked to finish 15th out of 16 teams in the first year of the Kathleen Rustad era. Nine-time National Champions Concordia-St. Paul received 11 first place votes, while Wayne State College earned three first place votes and St. Cloud State earned two and were picked to finish in third. Southwest Minnesota State and Sioux Falls round out the top five, respectively.
Makenna Nold (Jamestown, ND) of Concordia-St. Paul was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year.
Heading into her first season at the helm of the Golden Eagles after an illustrious coaching career at Hawley High School, which included back-to-back State Championships, Rustad is excited about the roster she has assembled heading into the season.
“I am thrilled to be a part of this group of student-athletes and look forward to learning and growing alongside them. I am proud of the resilient, can-do attitude that I have witnessed in the gym thus far,” mentioned Rustad. “I am eager to see this group continue to mature in their understanding of the game and strengthen their cohesiveness on the court. Additionally, I look forward to the contributions of our new team members as they integrate their energy and talent into our team dynamic.”
Madison Carsten (Sr. Wadena) had a phenomenal junior campaign, being named NSIC Player of the Week for the first time in her career. Carsten finished with career highs in matches played, kills, kills per set, total attacks, attacking percentage, blocks and points scored. Carsten started the season with seven straight matches with 10 or more kills and had 19 matches with 10 or more kills, the most by a Golden Eagle since Kassi Green, who had 20 matches with double-digit kills.
Carsten had 17 matches with 40 or attacks on the season, including a whopping 74 total attacks in a five-set thriller against Minnesota Duluth.
Coach Rustad is thrilled to be able to have a player like Carsten on the roster in her first season. “As a team captain, Madison Carsten exemplifies leadership both on and off the court. A dedicated student-athlete, she maintains rigorous academic and athletic standards, serving as a role model for her peers.”
“On the court, Carsten brings exceptional intensity as a six-rotation outside hitter, consistently elevating team performance. As one of the program’s top offensive threats, her continued development during her senior season will be instrumental to the team’s success.”
Minnesota Crookston will return a number of returners this season, including seniors Emma Malek, Megan Schoenfelder, Kailee Waasdorp and Carizma Muth. Junior Lexi Scharold and sophomores Ellery Ehresmann and Abigail Ernster are also back.
Minnesota Crookston opens the new era on Friday, August 28, in Rapid City for their first true road match of the season at South Dakota Mines.
POLL RESULTS –
1. Concordia-St. Paul (11) – 220
2. Wayne State (3) – 207
3. St. Cloud State (2) – 199
4. SW Minnesota State – 177
5. Sioux Falls – 158
6. Minnesota State Mankato – 156
7. Minnesota Duluth – 143
8. Northern State – 140
9. Augustana – 104
9. Winona State – 104
11. MSU-Moorhead – 86
12. Jamestown – 78
13. Bemidji State – 59
14. U of Mary – 40
15. Minnesota Crookston – 25
16. Minot State – 24
