The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle volleyball team has been picked to finish 14th out of 16 teams in the Northern Sun Conference preseason coaches volleyball poll.
The Golden Eagles didn’t have a season because of COVID last season. In 2019, UMC finished with a record of 4-24 (2-18 NSIC). Head Coach Sarah Morgan enters her fifth season at the helm of the Golden Eagles. Nick Meseck enters his first season as an assistant coach under Morgan.
In 2019, Lauren Wallace (Sr. Bloomington) was third on the team in kills (128), points (154.0), and points per set (1.59). UMC only has three returners from the 2019 team along with Bailey Mulcahy (Soph. Fertile), and Natalie Koke (Jr. Caledonia, Wisconsin).
Concordia-St. Paul was picked to win the NSIC, receiving 11 of the 16 first-place votes for a total of 219 points. Minnesota Duluth was picked second with 194 points while St. Cloud State was third with 192 points and three first-place votes.
Winona State’s Megan Flom was selected as the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.
The Golden Eagles will open the season on September 3 at the Steel City Showcase in Pueblo, Colorado. The first serve is set for 2 P.M., against Fort Hays State.
TEAMS – POINTS
1. Concordia-St. Paul (11) 217
2. Minnesota-Duluth 194
3. St. Cloud State (3) 192
4. Northern State (1) 174
T5. Winona State (1) 169
T5. Wayne State 169
7. Southwest Minnesota State 147
8. Augustana 137
T9. Minnesota State Mankato 109
T9. Upper Iowa 109
11. Sioux Falls 82
12. Minnesota State Moorhead 69
13. Bemidji State 60
14. UMC 40
15. Minot State 32
16. Mary 20
