Photo by: Kylie Macziewski
Volleyball earns No. 8 ranking in NSIC preseason poll
8/12/2019 11:15:00 AM | Volleyball
NSIC Release
BURNSVILLE, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University volleyball team took the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) by storm in 2018. The Huskies finished the year with their best record since joining the conference in 2008 as they went 11-9 in NSIC play to finish in a three-way tie for seventh place in the conference standings. This year, surprise may no longer be on St. Cloud State's side, but respect certainly is, as the team was picked to finish eighth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
St. Cloud State looks to propel itself into the NSIC playoff race after a historic season in 2018. The Huskies lose just two seniors to graduation, and All-NSIC honorees Clara Krenz (Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul) and Linsey Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake) are back for another year. Krenz looks to repeat as the NSIC's Libero of the Year after being the conference's top defensive player throughout the 2018 season, where she averaged an impressive 5.33 digs per set. Rachel is back after earning both the NSIC and AVCA Central Region's Rookie of the Year honor, while senior hitters Abby Templin (Cold Spring, Minn. / ROCORI) and Marah Mulso (Marshall, Minn. / Marshall) and junior setter Maddy Torve (Loretto, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy) look to lead the Huskies to the conference tournament for the first time since joining the NSIC in 2009.
St. Cloud State will officially open the season on September 5 at the Dixie State Tournament in St. George, Utah. However, fans won't have to wait long to see the Huskies in action, as the team is set to host the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn Huskies Volleyball Classic September 12-14. A three-day tournament pass will cost $20, while a single-day ticket will be $10.
Meet the 2019 St. Cloud State volleyball team (in 280 characters or less)
1 – Erin Navratil (Jr.; OH; Albany, Minn. / Albany)
Had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2018; appeared in 19 matches with three starts as an outside hitter; compiled 81 kills, 12 digs and 13 blocks; recorded career-high 18 kills in a five set win over BSU.
2 – Kobie Dills (Fy.; DS; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Cedar Rapids Washington)
First year from Cedar Rapids Iowa; 2x All-Conference honoree, with a Second Team nod as a senior.
3 – Chloe Dousette (Jr.; OH/RS; St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall/ Nebraska-Omaha)
Redshirted in 2018 to preserve a season of eligibility; played two years of collegiate volleyball at Nebraska-Omaha before joining the Huskies last season.
4 – Linsey Rachel (So.; OH; Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake)
2018 NSIC and AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year; Second Team All-Conference; NSIC POW; school recordholder for First Year Kills (352); led the team in kills and kills/set at the end of the season; top ranking freshman in kills, kills/set, digs, digs/set and aces in NSIC.
5 – Bekah Miller (Jr.; RS; Prescott, Wis. / Prescott)
Missed most of 2018 due to injury; did appear in three matches as a right side hitter; listens to 2010 bangers to get pumped up before a match.
7 – Bella Erne (So.; OH; Blaine, Minn. / Blaine)
As a first year, appeared in 20 matches for St. Cloud State as an outside hitter and defensive specialist; recorded 22 kills, including a career-high six vs. Mary on November 3. Favorite color is yellow.
8 – Abby Templin (Sr.; OH; Cold Spring, Minn. / ROCORI)
In her second season; Templin appeared in 24 matches with 10 starts as an outside hitter; complied career-high 192 kills with 25 digs and 30 blocks; set her career-high at 14 kills twice in 2018. Favorite movie is Bridesmaids.
9 – Taylor Olstad (Jr.; DS; Eagan, Minn. / Eagan)
One of six Huskies to appear in all 26 matches in 2018; ranked third on the team in digs (271) and digs/set (3.04); recorded a career-high 22 digs vs. Upper Iowa in October; big Harry Potter fan.
10 – Gabby Johnson (Fy.; OH/RS; Plover, Wis. / Stevens Point Area)
First year from Plover, Wisconsin; has experience at every hitting position; 3x letter winner in volleyball; earned both All-Conference and All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades; will participate in track and field at SCSU as well.
11 – Halle Hughes (Sr.; MB; Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West)
Senior middle blocker for St. Cloud State; appeared in nine matches in 2018; recorded five kills and 10 blocks as a junior; drinks coffee as a pregame ritual and wants to own a dog-friendly café with former Husky Krista Kuglin.
12 – Phebie Rossi (Fy.; MB; Rapids, S.D. / Stevens)
First year middle blocker from Rapids, South Dakota; led Stevens to the state title in 2019; earned All-State and All-State Tournament Team honors as a junior in 2018; plans to major in biomedical sciences.
13 – Brynn Heinonen (Fy.; S; Delano, Minn. / Delano)
Incoming setter from Delano, Minnesota; 2x All-Conference honoree; Academic All-State honoree; No. 3 all-time in career assists (2943) in Delano High School history; ended career with 927 digs.
14 – Maddy Torve (Jr.; S; Loretto, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy)
One of three SCSU Huskies to start all 26 matches and appear in every set; led the team in assists (992) and assists/set (10.67) in 2018; No. 10 all-time in career assists; recorded career-high 57 assists vs. Upper Iowa; sister Emily plays for Minnesota-Duluth.
15 – Clara Krenz (Sr.; L; Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul)
2x NSIC Preseason Player to Watch; 2018 NSIC Libero of the Year; 2x Second Team All-NSIC; 2x Academic All-Conference; NSIC Defensive Player of the Week; No. 3 all-time in career digs; led the NSIC in digs and digs/set in 2018; Favorite song is "Party in the USA".
16 – Abigail Groeneweg (Fy.; OH; Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake)
First year outside hitter from Forest Lake; led the Rangers to back-to-back state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018; three-year letter winner; 3x Team MVP and All-Conference player; enjoys adventuring and road trips.
17 – Rachel Houle (Fy.; RS; Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater Area)
Appeared in 25 matches and made 11 starts as a first year in 2018; wracked up 117 kills with just 55 errors for a hitting percentage of .167; recorded a career-high 16 kills against MSU-Moorhead; favorite athlete is Zach Parise.
18 – Marah Mulso (Sr.; MB; Marshall, Minn. / Marshall)
One of three Huskies to play and start all 26 matches in 2018; recorded 137 kills with just 47 errors; led the team with a .236 hitting percentage; compiled team-leading 68 blocks; wants to be a chiropractor.
20 – Allison Naughton (So.; MB; Des Moines, Iowa / Dowling Catholic)
As a first year, appeared in nine matches and 18 sets as a middle blocker; tallied 14 kills, five digs and eight blocks; hit .200 during the season; sister is a triathlete at Arizona State.
BURNSVILLE, MINN. – The St. Cloud State University volleyball team took the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) by storm in 2018. The Huskies finished the year with their best record since joining the conference in 2008 as they went 11-9 in NSIC play to finish in a three-way tie for seventh place in the conference standings. This year, surprise may no longer be on St. Cloud State's side, but respect certainly is, as the team was picked to finish eighth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll.
St. Cloud State looks to propel itself into the NSIC playoff race after a historic season in 2018. The Huskies lose just two seniors to graduation, and All-NSIC honorees Clara Krenz (Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul) and Linsey Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake) are back for another year. Krenz looks to repeat as the NSIC's Libero of the Year after being the conference's top defensive player throughout the 2018 season, where she averaged an impressive 5.33 digs per set. Rachel is back after earning both the NSIC and AVCA Central Region's Rookie of the Year honor, while senior hitters Abby Templin (Cold Spring, Minn. / ROCORI) and Marah Mulso (Marshall, Minn. / Marshall) and junior setter Maddy Torve (Loretto, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy) look to lead the Huskies to the conference tournament for the first time since joining the NSIC in 2009.
St. Cloud State will officially open the season on September 5 at the Dixie State Tournament in St. George, Utah. However, fans won't have to wait long to see the Huskies in action, as the team is set to host the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn Huskies Volleyball Classic September 12-14. A three-day tournament pass will cost $20, while a single-day ticket will be $10.
Meet the 2019 St. Cloud State volleyball team (in 280 characters or less)
1 – Erin Navratil (Jr.; OH; Albany, Minn. / Albany)
Had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2018; appeared in 19 matches with three starts as an outside hitter; compiled 81 kills, 12 digs and 13 blocks; recorded career-high 18 kills in a five set win over BSU.
2 – Kobie Dills (Fy.; DS; Cedar Rapids, Iowa / Cedar Rapids Washington)
First year from Cedar Rapids Iowa; 2x All-Conference honoree, with a Second Team nod as a senior.
3 – Chloe Dousette (Jr.; OH/RS; St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall/ Nebraska-Omaha)
Redshirted in 2018 to preserve a season of eligibility; played two years of collegiate volleyball at Nebraska-Omaha before joining the Huskies last season.
4 – Linsey Rachel (So.; OH; Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake)
2018 NSIC and AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year; Second Team All-Conference; NSIC POW; school recordholder for First Year Kills (352); led the team in kills and kills/set at the end of the season; top ranking freshman in kills, kills/set, digs, digs/set and aces in NSIC.
5 – Bekah Miller (Jr.; RS; Prescott, Wis. / Prescott)
Missed most of 2018 due to injury; did appear in three matches as a right side hitter; listens to 2010 bangers to get pumped up before a match.
7 – Bella Erne (So.; OH; Blaine, Minn. / Blaine)
As a first year, appeared in 20 matches for St. Cloud State as an outside hitter and defensive specialist; recorded 22 kills, including a career-high six vs. Mary on November 3. Favorite color is yellow.
8 – Abby Templin (Sr.; OH; Cold Spring, Minn. / ROCORI)
In her second season; Templin appeared in 24 matches with 10 starts as an outside hitter; complied career-high 192 kills with 25 digs and 30 blocks; set her career-high at 14 kills twice in 2018. Favorite movie is Bridesmaids.
9 – Taylor Olstad (Jr.; DS; Eagan, Minn. / Eagan)
One of six Huskies to appear in all 26 matches in 2018; ranked third on the team in digs (271) and digs/set (3.04); recorded a career-high 22 digs vs. Upper Iowa in October; big Harry Potter fan.
10 – Gabby Johnson (Fy.; OH/RS; Plover, Wis. / Stevens Point Area)
First year from Plover, Wisconsin; has experience at every hitting position; 3x letter winner in volleyball; earned both All-Conference and All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades; will participate in track and field at SCSU as well.
11 – Halle Hughes (Sr.; MB; Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West)
Senior middle blocker for St. Cloud State; appeared in nine matches in 2018; recorded five kills and 10 blocks as a junior; drinks coffee as a pregame ritual and wants to own a dog-friendly café with former Husky Krista Kuglin.
12 – Phebie Rossi (Fy.; MB; Rapids, S.D. / Stevens)
First year middle blocker from Rapids, South Dakota; led Stevens to the state title in 2019; earned All-State and All-State Tournament Team honors as a junior in 2018; plans to major in biomedical sciences.
13 – Brynn Heinonen (Fy.; S; Delano, Minn. / Delano)
Incoming setter from Delano, Minnesota; 2x All-Conference honoree; Academic All-State honoree; No. 3 all-time in career assists (2943) in Delano High School history; ended career with 927 digs.
14 – Maddy Torve (Jr.; S; Loretto, Minn. / Heritage Christian Academy)
One of three SCSU Huskies to start all 26 matches and appear in every set; led the team in assists (992) and assists/set (10.67) in 2018; No. 10 all-time in career assists; recorded career-high 57 assists vs. Upper Iowa; sister Emily plays for Minnesota-Duluth.
15 – Clara Krenz (Sr.; L; Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul)2x NSIC Preseason Player to Watch; 2018 NSIC Libero of the Year; 2x Second Team All-NSIC; 2x Academic All-Conference; NSIC Defensive Player of the Week; No. 3 all-time in career digs; led the NSIC in digs and digs/set in 2018; Favorite song is "Party in the USA".
16 – Abigail Groeneweg (Fy.; OH; Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake)
First year outside hitter from Forest Lake; led the Rangers to back-to-back state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018; three-year letter winner; 3x Team MVP and All-Conference player; enjoys adventuring and road trips.
17 – Rachel Houle (Fy.; RS; Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater Area)
Appeared in 25 matches and made 11 starts as a first year in 2018; wracked up 117 kills with just 55 errors for a hitting percentage of .167; recorded a career-high 16 kills against MSU-Moorhead; favorite athlete is Zach Parise.
18 – Marah Mulso (Sr.; MB; Marshall, Minn. / Marshall)
One of three Huskies to play and start all 26 matches in 2018; recorded 137 kills with just 47 errors; led the team with a .236 hitting percentage; compiled team-leading 68 blocks; wants to be a chiropractor.
20 – Allison Naughton (So.; MB; Des Moines, Iowa / Dowling Catholic)
As a first year, appeared in nine matches and 18 sets as a middle blocker; tallied 14 kills, five digs and eight blocks; hit .200 during the season; sister is a triathlete at Arizona State.
Players Mentioned
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OH
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MH
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OH/RS
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DS/L
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RS
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OH/MH
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MH
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MB
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OH
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DS/L
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OH
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