university of north dakota university of north dakota

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Fighting Sioux
2011 NORTH DAKOTA vOlleybAll
SCHEDULE
The two-time Great West Conference
defending champion Fighting Sioux will
definitely be busy this season, as they take on
a 12-game home slate and play host to the
GWC Tournament for the first time .
“It’s great we have 12 home matches and the
conference tournament in Grand Forks this
season,” head coach Ashley Hardee said . “It’s
a very exciting schedule with North Dakota
State, South Dakota State and Montana
coming here . Our non-conference schedule is
also strong with perennial powers Santa Clara,
Santa Barbara, Rice and Dayton on the list .”
One of the most anticipated matches of the
season will take place on Sept . 6, as North
Dakota State travels to Grand Forks for the first
time since 2003 . The Sioux will look to upend
their in-state rival after falling to the Bison last
season at the North Dakota State Tournament
in Fargo, N .D .
The Sioux will also play host to future Big
Sky opponents Montana and Southern Utah
during September’s UND Classic .
TITLE DEFENSE
Heading into the final season in the Great West
Conference, this year’s squad is even more
determined to sweep its way through the
GWC and defend its titles .
With a target on its back already, UND will need
to use the same grit, focus and determination
that brought home the first two titles .
“We have been fortunate enough to win the
Great West Conference in each of the two years
of its existence,” Hardee said . “As we make the
move to the Big Sky in 2012, we want to leave
our mark . We want to make this a three-peat
and we are very focused on leaving the GWC
as champions .”
SENIOR CLASS
With the return of 2010 Great West Conference
Tournament MVP Annika Smed (OH, Albert
Lea, Minn .), 2010 GWC Player of the Year Devin
Trefz (OH, Bagley, Minn .), Tia Russell (MB,
Brooklyn Park, Minn .) and Taylor Bohannon
(DS, Inver Grove Heights, Minn .), the Fighting
Sioux will open the year with a very wellseasoned
senior class .
“Our senior class brings championship
experience to the court,” Hardee said . “All four
of them earned significant time in our title
runs in both 2009 and 2010 . We are going
to lean on their experience and leadership
heavily this year .”
This season, the coaching staff plans to tailor
the offense around Smed and Trefz, who have
TeAM INFORMATION :: SeASON OUTlOOK
both started as outside hitters the past two
seasons . They will also look for Russell to bring
back her unmatched intensity and superb
blocking abilities, and for Bohannon, who has
emerged as a team leader over the offseason,
to utilize her serve receive skills, which are
critical to the team’s success .
JUNIOR CLASS
The lone junior on the roster, Kaci Miller (MB,
Folsom, Calif .), saw limited time last season
but her height will be a major asset, both on
offense and on defense, this year .
“Kaci is the lone junior on our roster,” Hardee
said . “Her length creates angles that are difficult
to defend, and she continues to improve her
blocking skills .”
SOPHOMORE CLASS
Led by Ronni Munkeby (MB, Lisbon, N .D .)
and Lisa Parlich (MB, Delavan, Wis .), UND will
return a strong sophomore class .
“Ronni spent this spring becoming more
versatile and may be moving out to the
middle for us,” Hardee said . “Lisa’s confidence
is soaring and right now, she is arguably the
best attacker on our team .”
Munkeby and Parlich will be joined by 2010
GWC Setter of the Year Ellen Krueger (S,
Lakeville, Minn .), Erica Turner (DS/L, Andover,
Minn .) and Nikki Husfeldt (S, Andover,
Minn .) .
“Enough can’t be said about the trio of
Ellen, Erica and Nikki,” Hardee said . “The
three of them locked down our setter and
libero responsibilities last year as freshmen .
Unfortunately, Nikki’s season was cut short,
but Ellen and Erica went on to have great
seasons to start their career .”
Elyssa DeTorre (OH, Eagan, Minn .) and Kim
Kuechle (MB, LeSueur, Minn .) will make their
UND debut after redshirting last season .
INCOMING CLASS
The Fighting Sioux will welcome five true
freshmen, as Emily Asche (OH, Grand Forks,
Minn .), Naomi Dahl (DS, Kennedy, Minn .),
Dani McNallan (DS, Andover, Minn .), Lexi
Robinson (Ramsey, Minn .) and Felicia Ulrich
(OH, Woodbury, Minn .) suit up in the Green
and White for the first time .
“Similar to last year, we have a very talented and
large incoming class,” Hardee said . “Emily will
bring some well-needed size to our program
and Naomi will add depth and athleticism to
our defense .
“Felicia, Lexi and Dani come to us from the
Minneapolis area and will bring a ton of club
experience with them . Felicia and Lexi will
compete with our outside hitters and right
side players right away . Quite possibly the
fastest player on the team, Dani has the ability
to play both as a defensive specialist and as a
setter .”
Also added to this year’s roster is a name
familiar to Sioux fans . Four-year basketball
letterwinner and team captain last year, senior
Corey Lof (MB, Detroit Lakes, Minn .) has made
the transition from basketball to volleyball .
“Corey is a very exciting addition to our team,”
Hardee said . “She is an exceptional athlete and
we are thrilled to have her .”
GREAT WEST HOST
To cap off the season and their membership in
the Great West Conference, the Fighting Sioux
will host this year’s GWC Tournament .
“Hosting the tournament will add great
exposure for our program as many people
around the country follow each conference’s
postseason tournament,” Hardee said . “We
have a great gameday staff, the atmosphere is
exciting, and this will be a great event for our
fans and the community .”