Week One Preview: California Dreamin'

Corbey R. Dorsey

Volleyball | 8/23/2018 1:11:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The eighth-ranked ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team heads to the Golden State this weekend to begin the 2018 season.

The Lopers are taking part in the "Cougar Classic" at Cal State San Marcos in Southern California. Kearney will face Point Loma Nazarene and Indiana of Pennsylvania on Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills and the host Cougars on Saturday. Check the volleyball schedule page for start times and media links.

UNK, which hasn't been in California since the 2003 Elite Eight in San Bernardino, left Wednesday and will return Sunday night. The tournament begins Thursday, allowing the Lopers to scout some of the competition. They have never faced PL, IUP, CSUDH or CSUSM before. Later this fall in California, Pa., Kearney will see IUP again.

Head coach Rick Squiers and his staff have a veteran squad led by senior setter Lindsey Smith (Dakota Dunes, S.D.), senior libero Ellie McDonnell (Papillion-LaVista), senior defensive specialist Morgan Stute (Kearney Catholic) and senior outside Kendall Schroer (Ogallala).

Smith earned 2016 AVCA All-American honors, McDonnell (1,644) is on pace to challenge Liz McGowan's career dig record of 2,099, Stute (1,018) is one of 30 Lopers to reach 1,000 career digs and Schroer needs 148 more kills to be the 28th UNK player with 1,000 in a career.

The Lopers did lose two-time All-American middle Tara Ziegelbein and outside hitter Kaitlynn Thomas to graduation. In addition, incoming freshman Sami Mauch and Emma Murphy will miss the 2018 season because of injuries.

Next weekend, UNK returns home for its annual Fall Classic. The Lopers will have four matches over two days, starting Friday, August 31, with the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers at noon.

Point Loma Nazarene U. Sea Lions (San Diego, Calif.)
Conference: PWC (Pacific West Conf.)

2017 Record: 12-16 (9-11 PWC)

2017 Notable Results: Lost to NCAA Tourney qualifier Alaska-Anchorage, 3-2

Returning Leaders: #10 Jamie Cymbaluk (So., OH, 6-0, 2.80 kills & 0.5 blocks per set); Julia Malinas (So., RS, 6-1, 2.74 kills and 0.6 blocks per set); #2 Cara Keturakis (Jr., S, 6-0, 9.36 assists and 2.2 digs per set)

Indiana U. of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks (Indiana, Pa.)
Conference: PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conf.)

2017 Record: 25-10 (15-3 PSAC)

2017 Notable Results: Advanced to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament (Atlantic Region)

Returning Leaders: #11 Sami Brown (Sr., RS, 6-0, 2.41 kills & 0.86 blocks per set); #13 Jess Marut (S., L, 5-6, 4.56 digs per set); #14 Dominica Niccolai (So., S, 5-10, 9.12 assists & 1.25 digs per set)

Cal State U. Dominguez Hills Toros (Carson, Calif.)
Conference: CCAA (California College Athletic Assoc.)

2017 Record: 14-12 (10-7 CCAA)

2017 Notable Results: Lost to NCAA Tourney qualifier Cal State San Bernardino, 3-2; Beat NCAA Tourney qualifier Sonoma State, 3-2

Returning Leaders: #20 Tati Yandall (Jr., OH, 5-10, 3.03 kills and 2.92 digs per set); #1 Cathryn Lopez (Sr., L, 5-3, 4.46 digs per set); #18 Lotte Braakhuis (Gr., OH, 5-10, played collegiately in Germany)

Cal State U. San Marcos Cougars (San Marcos, Calif.)
Conference: CCAA (California College Athletic Assoc.)

2017 Record: 14-12 (11-6 CCAA)

2017 Notable Results: Lost to NSIC-member St. Cloud State, 3-0; Beat NCAA Tourney qualifier Cal State San Bernardino, 3-2; Beat NCAA Tourney qualifier Sonoma State, 3-1

Returning Leaders: #16 Maddy Newcombe (Jr., OH/MB, 6-2, 2.43 kills and 0.81 blocks per set); #1 Faith Fortune (Sr., MB, 6-1, 1.31 blocks and 1.35 blocks per set); #13 Grecia Cordero-Barr (So., 5-8, L, 4.82 digs per set)

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Players Mentioned

#8 Liz McGowan: OH/L; 5' 8"; Senior

#15 Kaitlynn Thomas: OH; 6' 1"; Freshman

#19 Tara Ziegelbein: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#5 Ellie McDonnell: DS/L; 5' 5"; Senior

#20 Kendall Schroer: OH; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Lindsey Smith: S; 5' 8"; Senior

#3 Morgan Stute: DS/L; 5' 6"; Senior

#15 Sami Mauch: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

#16 Emma Murphy: S/DS; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#8 Liz McGowan
: 5' 8"; Senior
: OH/L

#15 Kaitlynn Thomas
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OH

#19 Tara Ziegelbein
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: MB

#5 Ellie McDonnell
: 5' 5"; Senior
: DS/L

#20 Kendall Schroer
: 6' 0"; Senior
: OH

#1 Lindsey Smith
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S

#3 Morgan Stute
: 5' 6"; Senior
: DS/L

#15 Sami Mauch
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH

#16 Emma Murphy
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: S/DS