The Minnesota Duluth, St. Scholastica and Wisconsin-Superior volleyball teams open the season today.
UMD kicks it off at 1 p.m. against St. Anselm College, part of four games in two days at the Shark Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The seventh-ranked Bulldogs return senior middle blocker Allison Olley, juniors Sarah Kelly and Makenzie Morgen and sophomore setter Emily Torve from a team that went 25-5.
St. Scholastica opens at 3 p.m. today against Concordia-Moorhead, the first of four games at the Ericksen Center in Roseville, Minn., part of the Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational hosted by the University of Northwestern. The Saints are already dealing with injury, with Amanda Belden of Esko, who led them with 234 kills in 2016, suffering a season-ending knee injury in the spring. However, they get Brooke Elvehjem back after she missed 2016 due to injury. Senior middle blocker Christaia Houser of Esko returns up front, while junior Emily Bounds of Hill City and sophomore Brooke Schermann are back on the attack for a team that went 12-16.
UWS opens at 5:30 p.m. today against Wisconsin Lutheran as part of four games at the Beloit (Wis.) College Tournament. Sophomore outside hitter Brylee Colligan returns after notching 301 kills, while Emily VerWay (897 set assists, 286 digs) is also back for a team that looks to improve on last year's 8-22 record.
