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UMAC announces volleyball All-Conference teams
Monday, November 10, 2008 ST. PAUL (Nov. 10, 2008) – Following Saturday’s Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) volleyball postseason tournament, the league announced its 2008 all-conference teams on Monday. Northwestern College, the UMAC regular season and postseason tournament champions, had six players on the all-conference list, while the College of St. Scholastica, the conference’s second place team, received five selections. The Saints bested all teams with four first team awards.
Bethany Lutheran College and Martin Luther College, who claimed third and fourth places in the league standings, had three all-conference winners apiece.
Northwestern’s Steph Koth was selected as the UMAC’s Player of the Year after helping her team go 14-0 in UMAC play. In those 14 matches, Koth, who plays all rotations on the court, averaged 3.1 kills per set and 4.9 digs per set.
Martin Luther head coach Lori Unke earned Coach of the Year honors after leading her team to a 9-5 conference record, improving from a 4-10 mark in 2007.
See below for a full listing of the 2008 volleyball all-conference awards.
1st Team All-Conference
Name, Institution, Year, Position
Eva Voss, Bethany Lutheran, Senior, Middle Hitter
Dustie Richardson, St. Scholastica, Senior, Middle Hitter
Cassie Roden, St. Scholastica, Senior, Libero
Amy Thompson, St. Scholastica, Senior, Outside Hitter
Shawna Varichak, St. Scholastica, Senior, Outside Hitter
Carrie Fritzler, Martin Luther, Junior, Middle Hitter
Emily Rasmussen, Martin Luther, Junior, Libero
Chelsea Lundgren, Northland, Junior, Middle Hitter
Laura Bicket, Northwestern, Senior, Middle Hitter
Kathryne Engel, Northwestern, Senior, Outside Hitter
Steph Koth *, Northwestern, Junior, Outside Hitter
Heidi Meier, Presentation, Senior, Outside Hitter
Honorable Mention All-Conference
Name, Institution, Year, Position
Nicole Jones, Bethany Lutheran, Sophomore, Setter
Emma Orth, Bethany Lutheran, Senior, Outside Hitter
Erin Niles, St. Scholastica, Senior, Middle Hitter
Naomi Anderson, Crown, Freshman, Middle Hitter
Amanda Polzin, Martin Luther, Senior, Setter
Melissa Anderson, Northland, Junior, Outside Hitter
Miranda Reichert, Northland, Junior, Setter
Leah Kostek, Northwestern, Sophomore, Setter
Danielle Rhodes, Northwestern, Sophomore, Libero
Sarah Whitmore, Northwestern, Junior, Middle Hitter
Briana Czer, Minnesota, Morris, Senior, Outside Hitter
Alison Pippo, Minnesota, Morris, Senior, Outside Hitter
Bethany volleyball falls to St. Scholastica in UMAC semi-final match
Tuesday, November 04, 2008 Melissa Young Duluth, Minn.—The Bethany Lutheran volleyball team made the trip up north Friday for a second time in a week, having faced off against the Saints last Friday evening. The two teams met for the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference Semi-Final match. Unfortunately for the Vikings, this Friday didn’t turn out any better than their last meeting as St. Scholastica took the match 3-0.
The Saints showed nothing less than they did a week ago, coming out strong to take the first set 25-11. The Vikings did their best to fight back in the second set bringing the score to a tie at 8-8, but couldn’t answer back when the Saints went on a 7-3 lead, allowing the Saints the second set with a score of 25-19. The Vikings took the lead 10-6 in the third set, but again, the Saints went on a 7-0 run and won the set 25-17.
Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings with 11 kills, while fellow senior Emma Orth (Sun Prairie, Wis./Luther Preparatory) added eight kills and 11 digs in the match. Sophomore setter, Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) provided 28 set assists. Defensively, the Vikings were led by libero Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) who recorded 16 digs.
The loss moves the Vikings record for 2008 to 17-14 overall and 10-4 in the UMAC. The Vikings will finish third in the conference this season both in regular season play and post season play. The Saints will take on Northwestern in St. Paul, Minn. on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 7 p.m. for the UMAC Conference Championship.
Viking volleyball secures third place in UMAC regular season play
Saturday, November 01, 2008 Melissa Young Ashland, Wis.—The Bethany Vikings took part in a volleyball triad at Northland College on Saturday. Their first game was against conference opponent, Northland, in which the Vikings were victorious 3-0. Bethany went up against UW-Eau Claire later in the afternoon resulting in a 3-0 loss for the Vikings.
Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings in their match against Northland with 15 kills. Junior Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown Mayer) led on defense with 19 digs, while sophomore setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) put up 33 set assists.
Against UW-Eau-Claire, Brittany Schreader led the Vikings, knocking down nine kills. Vanessa Harkins (Le Center, Minn./Le Center) was close behind with seven kills to go along with eight digs. Libero, Kristin Becker (Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) had 14 digs in the match.
The win against Northland secures third place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The Vikings will take on St. Scholastica (# 2 seed) in Duluth, Minn. at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. Bethany finishes the regular season 14-16 overall and 10-4 in the UMAC. Martin Luther (# 4 seed) will take on Northwestern (# 1 seed) in St. Paul, Minn. on Tuesday. The conference championship match will take place at the highest seed of the semi-final winners.
Bethany volleyball suffers heart-breaking loss to St. Schloastica
Friday, October 31, 2008 Melissa Young Duluth, Minn.—The Bethany volleyball team went head-to-head with St. Scholastica on Friday night. Both teams went into the match tied for second place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. The match proved to be tough for the Vikings as the Saints quickly took control of the four-game match which resulted in a Saints victory.
St. Scholastica came out strong leading 10-4 in the first set. The Saints took control of the set until the Vikings fought back near the end of the set. The Saints took the first set 25-23. Set two was more of the same with the Saints taking an early 9-1 lead. The Vikings came up short with a score of 25-15. The third set gave the Vikings their time to shine. Although the Saints held a 20-15 lead, the Vikings went on a 10-1 scoring run near the end of the set to take the 25-21 set win. In set four, the Saints made their comeback and took the set easily with a score of 25-11.
Eva Voss (Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings in kills, recording 15 for the match. Emma Orth (Sun Prairie, Wis./Luther Preparatory) was close behind adding 10 of her own to go along with nine digs for the evening. Defensively, the Vikings were led by libero, Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown, Mayer) with 21 digs for the match. The Saints were led by Amy Thompson with 18 kills.
The loss moves Bethany to 13-15 overall and 9-4 in the UMAC. St. Scholastica improves to 15-11 overall and 10-3 in the UMAC. The Vikings will bring regular season play to an end tomorrow as they take on Northland at 1 p.m. followed by a non-conference match at 3 p.m. against UW- Eau-Claire as part of a triad tournament in Ashland, Wis.
Bethany volleyball wins in five against Martin Luther
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Melissa Young New Ulm, Minn.—The Bethany volleyball team battled Martin Luther on Wednesday night on the Knight’s home floor. The two teams, both tied for second place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), allowed a five-game match, which resulted in a 3-2 Bethany victory.
The Vikings came out strong as they had in the last meeting with Martin Luther, taking the first two sets (25,-17, 25-20), and giving up the third and fourth sets. Despite a similar pattern to the match played earlier in the season at Bethany, the Vikings were able to slip past the Knights with a 15-10 win in set five to take the match.
Senior middle hitter Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings, recording 20 kills for the evening with help from sophomore setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) who put up an impressive 47 set assists. Defensively, Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown Mayer) led in digs with 15 while freshman, Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minn./Watertown Mayer) had 12 to go along with seven kills and four ace serves. Amanda Polzin led the Knights with 16 kills.
The win improves the Vikings to 13-14 overall and 9-3 in the UMAC while Martin Luther falls to 12-14 overall and 8-4 in the UMAC. Bethany still has a chance to be second, third or fourth in regular season play. The Vikings will take on St. Scholastica, also tied for second place, on Friday, October 31, in Duluth, Minn. at 7 p.m. before they head to Ashland, Wis. on Saturday, to play Northland and Eau Claire to close out regular season play.
Bethany volleyball downs Minnesota-Morris
Saturday, October 25, 2008 Melissa Young Morris, Minn.—The Bethany volleyball team continued conference play on the road on Saturday in a match against Minnesota-Morris. The Cougars put up a good fight throughout the afternoon, but were not strong enough as the Vikings who took the match in three sets (25-19, 25-23, and 25-19)
Senior middle hitter Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) recorded 11 kills, just one more than freshman Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer), who knocked down 10 kills to go along with nine digs and a single service ace. Setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) had a solid game once again, putting up 33 set assists. Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) led the team defensively, with 23 digs for the evening.
The Cougars were led by freshman, Natalie Thomas, who recorded a double-double for the evening with 13 kills and 13 digs.
The win improves the Vikings to 12-14 overall and 8-3 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). The Cougars fall to 8-15 overall and 3-8 in the UMAC. The Vikings will take on conference rival, Martin Luther, on Wednesday evening in New Ulm, Minn. at 7 p.m.
Viking volleyball victorious over Presentation
Friday, October 24, 2008 Melissa Young Aberdeen, S.D.—The Bethany volleyball team took on Presentation College on Friday evening resulting in a 3-1 Viking victory.
The Saints came out strong battling Bethany for the first set and eventually coming out with the set win 25-23. Bethany came back event stronger taking the next three sets easily with scores of 25-12, 25-12, and 25-13.
Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings in kills with 17. Fellow senior Emma Orth (Sun Prairie, Wis./Luther Preparatory) and freshman Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minn./Watertown Mayer) each recorded a double-double for the evening. Orth knocked down 13 kills and came up with 14 digs, while Edmison put 13 kills and 10 digs in the books. Sophomore setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East put up an impressive 53 set assists. Junior Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) led the Vikings in digs with 35 for the match. Heidi Meier led the Saints with 15 kills and 9 digs.
The win improves the Vikings to 11-14 overall and 7-3 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). Presentation falls to 1-19 overall and 1-9 in the UMAC. Bethany will continue conference play tomorrow as they travel to Morris, Minn. to take on Minnesota-Morris at 1 p.m.
Volleyball splits at hosted triangular
Saturday, October 11, 2008 Melissa Young Mankato, Minn.—On Saturday the Vikings hosted a triangular against Northland of Ashland Wis. and Waldorf of Forest City, Iowa.
The Vikings took sets one (25-23) and two (25-17) against Northland, but the Lumberjills pushed the match to four sets, winning the third set 25-15. The Vikings clinched the match with a win in the fourth set 25-16.
Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) knocked down 17 kills in the match, while freshman Vanessa Harkins (Le Center, Minn./Le Center) was close behind with 13 kills of her own. Setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) recorded 42 assists, three kills and one service ace. Libero Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) led the team in digs with 24. Chelsea Lundgren led the Lumberjills with 16 kills in the match.
Northland met Waldorf for the second match of the day resulting in a 3-0 Warrior win with scores of 25-12, 25-21, and 25-22.
The Vikings took on non-conference Waldorf, member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the third match of the day. The Warriors came out strong even after playing back to back matches pulling past the Vikings for the match win 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-23).
Voss led the Vikings for the second time in one day with 13 kills and three blocks. Freshman Amanda Edmison (Mayer, Minn./Watertown Mayer) also recorded double digits with 10 kills for the match. Jones provided 31 assists in the three-set match. Waldorf was led by Synnove Abrahamson with 12 kills and 13 digs.
Following the triangular the Vikings improve to 9-12 overall and 5-1 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), while Northland drops to 10-12 overall and 3-3 in the UMAC. Waldorf improves to 18-6 overall.
The Vikings continue conference play at home next week against Martin Luther on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Bethany will also play at home next weekend against Northwestern on October 17, at 7 p.m., and Crown on Saturday, October 18, at 1 p.m. Saturday’s game will be a Dig Pink breast cancer awareness event.
Volleyball victorious over UMAC rival St. Scholastica
Friday, October 10, 2008 Melissa Young Mankato, Minn.—Bethany hosted conference opponent St. Scholastica on Friday resulting in a Vikings wins and improving their record to 4-1 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. The Vikings also bumped up their overall record to 8-11.
St. Scholastica came out of the gates as strong as expected, taking the first set 25-17. The battle was on as the Vikings took the second set (25-21) while the Saints fought back to take the third set (25-20) allowing the match to go to five sets. Set four went down to the wire with the Vikings and Saints tying up the score an impressive 15 times. The Vikings slipped past the Saints taking the fourth set 27-25 and never looked back taking the fifth set 15-8 and recording the match win.
Senior Eva Voss (North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran) led the Vikings with an impressive 25 kills, while fellow senior Emma Orth (Sun Prairie, Wis./Luther Preparatory) put down 14 kills. Sophomore setter Nicole Jones (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) put up 59 assists. Defensively, Laura Parochka (Mayer, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) led the team with 24 digs. The Saints were led by Shawna Varichak who had 14 kills, 15 digs and six service aces.
Bethany will host a triangular against conference Northland and non-conference Waldorf of Forest City, Iowa on Saturday. Bethany and Northland will face off first at 11 a.m. with the Northland and Waldorf match to follow at 1 p.m. Bethany will close out the triangular with a match against Waldorf at 3 p.m.
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