Volleyball faces trip to Minnesota for conference opener
Sean Owens
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Sports
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"We're looking forward to the challenge faced against both teams this weekend," said Head Coach Rose Shires.
The Mavericks, coming off an impressive 3-0 sweep of Wayne State on Sept. 5, will be heavily tested in their conference opener against Minnesota Duluth. The 12-1 Bulldogs are led by six-foot senior right side hitter Vicky Braegelmann, a 2006 co-national player of the year and a three-time AVCA All-American. She is complimented by 5'11'' senior outside hitter Katie Wolford, and 5'8'' junior setter Katie Gangelhoff--both of who were 2006 All-Americans.
The Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth are recipients of ten straight victories, and defeated UNO twice last year by 3-0 margins.
"They are definitely a tough opponent, but I feel like we are a better team than last year," Shires said. "I think we can stack up well against them this year."
The conference schedule will then continue on Saturday when the Mavs face No. 23 Minnesota State, Mankato. The Mavericks of Mankato, led by 6'0" junior OH Ashley Nachreiner and freshman OH Amanda Beekman, look to defend their home court against the No. 14 Mavericks of UNO. Beekman and Nachreiner lead their Mankato Mavericks in kills with a combined 298 between the pair.
The Mavericks of red will need to be on the top of their game to defend the kill combination Mankato possesses. These teams split their two-game series last year.
One of the main contributors to UNO's impressive 2007 start has been the play of sophomore middle blocker Ellen Thommes. Thommes is second on the team with 101 kills behind standout third-team AVCA All-American senior middle blocker Carlie Christensen, who has 117 kills in 2007. The pair leads the team with 86 blocks between them. Setting them up will be senior setter Katie Agnew, who has tallied 386 sets already this season.
The outside hitters, senior Nicole McLeod, sophomore Kelli Goeser, and sophomore Sara Kampschnieder have also played huge roles in 2007, posting 175 kills between them. These three will most likely need to pack their A-games this weekend if UNO is to have a successful conference start.
The defense will be led by junior specialist Annie Rice, who leads the team with 144 digs and 14 service aces. Complimenting her will be redshirt freshman Jamie Tooley and sophomore Kayla Jansen, who have a combined 219 digs between the pair in 2007.
"I think our team is playing really well right now," Shires said. "They are doing a good job of attacking opponents and staying mentally focused on the game."
The Mavericks are showing signs of vast improvement from last year and look to fare well in the NCC in 2007. Conference play is the measuring stick for which a team can be judged, and this weekend's Minnesota test should provide a first-class ruling.
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