The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) volleyball program announced the addition of Abbie Peterson (MH, 6-0, Princeton, Minn./Princeton H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Peterson is the third signee for the Golden Eagles, joining Shelby Dunbar (MH, 6-0, Fertile, Minn./Fertile-Beltrami H.S.) and Bailey Mulcahy (S/DS, Fertile, Minn./Fertile-Beltrami H.S.).
Abbie Peterson (MH, 6-0, Princeton, Minn./Princeton H.S.)
Peterson was an All-Mississippi 8 Conference pick for Princeton High School as a senior. She was named her team’s Most Valuable Player, and was the program’s Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, Peterson was named All-Mississippi 8 Honorable Mention. As a freshman and sophomore, she split time between varsity and junior varsity. Peterson played club volleyball for the Minnesota Volleyball Academy from 2017-19. She played on the 18 Elite team this past season helping the team to a first-place finish at the Crossfire Tournament in the Twin Cities.
She is the daughter of Rob and Shana Peterson. Peterson plans to major in exercise science and wellness. She was born Nov. 4, 2000. “We are very excited for Abbie to join us this fall, she is a strong athlete and a great student who will add much to our program,” said Head Coach Sarah Rauen. “Abbie brings great experience from playing in a highly competitive Minnesota volleyball scene, and we can’t wait to have her in the maroon and gold.”
Peterson also adds size to the roster as she, along with fellow signee Dunbar, give the Golden Eagles six players over six-foot heading into the 2019 season. Peterson provides Minnesota Crookston their fourth middle hitter for 2019 slate, joining Meli Rodriguez (Sr., MH, Sarchi, Costa Rica), Dunbar, and Kaitlin Sikkink (Sr., MH, St. Charles, Minn.).
The signees add to a roster that returns 12 student-athletes from the 2018 squad. Minnesota Crookston graduated only Callie Schapekahm from last season’s team. UMC has 11 student-athletes from the state of Minnesota, with the signing of Peterson. In addition, two student-athletes hail from Wisconsin, and one from Iowa. Meli Rodriguez (Sr., MH, Sarchi, Costa Rica) is the only out of area student-athlete, originally hailing from Costa Rica.
The Golden Eagles posted a 4-24 (2-17 NSIC) mark in 2018, but look poised to improve with a more experienced squad returning to the fray in 2019. Minnesota Crookston was very young last season. The 2019 roster will include four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, and four freshmen.
