Thursday, September 11
St. Cloud, Minn.
6 p.m.
St. Cloud State
vs
Adelphi (N.Y.)
Photo by: Jeff Evans/Western Washington Athletics Communications
No. 10 St. Cloud State Volleyball Set to Host UP North Tournament
9/10/2025 4:10:00 PM | Volleyball
Huskies ready to make 2025 home debut, will play four matches over three days in Halenbeck Hall
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – No. 10 St. Cloud State Volleyball (2-2 overall, 0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) will make its 2025 home debut this weekend as it hosts the UP North Tournament with four matches over three days.
The Huskies open the tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Adelphi (N.Y.), play Northern Michigan (2 p.m.) and Michigan Tech (5:30 p.m.) on Friday and wrap up with No. 17 Barry (Fla.) on Saturday at noon. All matches will be in Halenbeck Hall.
TOURNAMENT HOMEPAGE
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
Match 5 – vs. Adelphi (N.Y.) – Thursday, Sept. 11 / 6 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 6 – vs. Northern Michigan – Friday, Sept. 12 / 2 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 7 – vs. Michigan Tech – Friday, Sept. 12 / 5:30 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 8 – vs. #17 Barry (Fla.) – Saturday, Sept. 13 / Noon / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Links to each coverage option can also be found on the St. Cloud State Volleyball schedule page.
SERIES HISTORY
The Huskies have played Northern Michigan 28 times (10-18, last in 2024) and Michigan Tech 22 times (16-6, last in 2024). SCSU has only faced off against Adelphi and Barry once. The Huskies swept Adelphi in 2017 in a neutral site match early in the season and were swept by Barry in the Elite 8 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament on Barry's home floor.
LAST TIME OUT
The Huskies opened their season 2-2 at the 2025 Western Washington Invitational, winning neutral site matches against No. 4 San Francisco State (Calif.) and (RV) Central Washington. SCSU dropped both true road matches during the trip, falling to (RV) Simon Fraser (British Columbia) in the program's first ever match in Canada and the host school, Western Washington.
ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn) and redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) were named to the 2025 Western Washington Invitational All-Tournament Team.
LET'S GO POLLING
The Huskies were ranked No. 10 in the Sept. 8 (week one) American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division II Poll, marking the 12th consecutive week in the top 10. SCSU opened the 2025 with its highest ever preseason ranking (No. 3), after tying its best final ranking (No. 5), to end the 2024 season.
Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Braegelmann, the program has been ranked for 70 consecutive weeks (including 46 weeks in the top 10), dating back to the 2019 season. The Huskies have spent a total of 144 weeks in the AVCA top 20/25 Poll in program history, including 71 weeks in the top 10.
SCSU in the 2025 AVCA DII National Poll
#3 – Preseason
#10 – Week One
WELCOME TO THE PACK
The Huskies welcomed three newcomers to the team this fall (all freshmen): setter/opposite Asta Hildebrand (North Liberty, Iowa / Liberty HS), middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn. / Redwood Valley HS) and outside hitter/defensive specialist Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D. / Watertown HS).
SEASON PREVIEW
St. Cloud State Volleyball was selected to finish first in the 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Additionally, reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) second team All-American, redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) was named the Preseason Player of the Year for the conference.
The defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Huskies amassed 212 points in the poll, including eight of the 16 first place votes, earning the top spot in the preseason poll for the first time in program history.
Rounding out the top five behind the Huskies is Concordia-St. Paul (2nd, 208 points, four first place votes), Southwest Minnesota State (3rd, 202 points, four first place votes), Wayne State (4th, 188 points) and Northern State (5th, 170 points).
"Once again, I'm impressed with the work that these women have put in, throughout the spring, competitive season, and the off-season," said head coach Chad Braegelmann. "They continue to improve as volleyball players, students of the game and as role models to the young girls that watch our sport. I am excited to see some new players step up into bigger roles, this fall and am excited for the combination of experience and youth that we look to roster this fall."
Braegelmann enters his 10th competitive season at the helm of St. Cloud State Volleyball and his 24th season overall as a collegiate head coach in 2025 (*note – no season was held in 2020-21 due to the global pandemic). His record at SCSU is 179-95 (.653) including an 107-69 (.608) mark in NSIC play after leading last year's team to a 29-3 record (18-0 NSIC).
Last season, he was tabbed as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. It was the third time (2019, 2021) he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, and first time being named a regional coach of the year. It was the first time in SCSU Volleyball history that a coach earned regional coach of the year honors.
On the court, the Huskies return four of six starters from last year's team, headlined by Thompson, the 2025 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year and fellow reigning AVCA All-American, senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn).
In her first season playing for SCSU in 2024, Thompson was a first team All-Central Region selection by the AVCA and a second team all-region pick by the D2CCA. The Lakeville native was a first team All-NSIC selection and was named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team. The middle blocker finished the regular season No. 30 among DII players in hitting percentage and was top six among NSIC players in hitting percentage, points/set, kills/set and total kills.
"Ella is fantastic offensively and does not get cheated on her swings," said Braegelmann. "She is very intense on the volleyball court and has grown in her knowledge of the game. Her energy on the court is contagious."
Last season, Berran became the first setter in program history to become a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season. She was also named to the All-Central Region First Team by the AVCA. Additionally, the Inver Grove Heights product was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team. She currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
In addition to the two All-Americans, SCSU returns Second Team All-NSIC Selection and NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team member, junior middle blocker Hannah Bruskiewicz (Rogers, Minn.), NSIC All-Tournament Team pick, junior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and 2023 First Team All-NSIC Selection, graduate student middle blocker Sam Zimmerman (Moorhead, Minn.). The Huskies also return a pair of defensive specialists who played in 95+ of the team's 113 sets last season in senior Emily Kern (Belgrade, Minn.) and junior Annika Forbes (Cottage Grove, Minn.).
RECORD BOOK CHECK
After the historic 2024 season, many updates have been made to the record book. Click the link below to access the updated version.
Updated Record Book
A LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORIC 2024 SEASON
SCSU is coming off one of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons. The Huskies set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of SCSU's 29 wins came against teams ranked/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll, including seven top-10 victories. All 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
St. Cloud State made its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
Braegelmann was tabbed as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. It was the third time (2019, 2021) he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, and first time being named a regional coach of the year. It was the first time in SCSU Volleyball history that a coach had earned regional coach of the year honors.
The 2025 Huskies Volleyball Season Ticket Package is available now and can be purchased/renewed for $70/seat on SCSUTickets.com or by calling 320-308-2137. The package includes a general admission ticket to each of the 10 regular season home matches.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Huskies open the tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. against Adelphi (N.Y.), play Northern Michigan (2 p.m.) and Michigan Tech (5:30 p.m.) on Friday and wrap up with No. 17 Barry (Fla.) on Saturday at noon. All matches will be in Halenbeck Hall.
TOURNAMENT HOMEPAGE
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
Match 5 – vs. Adelphi (N.Y.) – Thursday, Sept. 11 / 6 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 6 – vs. Northern Michigan – Friday, Sept. 12 / 2 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 7 – vs. Michigan Tech – Friday, Sept. 12 / 5:30 p.m. / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Match 8 – vs. #17 Barry (Fla.) – Saturday, Sept. 13 / Noon / Live stream / Live stats / Listen
Links to each coverage option can also be found on the St. Cloud State Volleyball schedule page.
SERIES HISTORY
The Huskies have played Northern Michigan 28 times (10-18, last in 2024) and Michigan Tech 22 times (16-6, last in 2024). SCSU has only faced off against Adelphi and Barry once. The Huskies swept Adelphi in 2017 in a neutral site match early in the season and were swept by Barry in the Elite 8 of the 1995 NCAA Tournament on Barry's home floor.
LAST TIME OUT
The Huskies opened their season 2-2 at the 2025 Western Washington Invitational, winning neutral site matches against No. 4 San Francisco State (Calif.) and (RV) Central Washington. SCSU dropped both true road matches during the trip, falling to (RV) Simon Fraser (British Columbia) in the program's first ever match in Canada and the host school, Western Washington.
ALL-TOURNEY TEAM
Senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn) and redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) were named to the 2025 Western Washington Invitational All-Tournament Team.
LET'S GO POLLING
The Huskies were ranked No. 10 in the Sept. 8 (week one) American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division II Poll, marking the 12th consecutive week in the top 10. SCSU opened the 2025 with its highest ever preseason ranking (No. 3), after tying its best final ranking (No. 5), to end the 2024 season.
Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Braegelmann, the program has been ranked for 70 consecutive weeks (including 46 weeks in the top 10), dating back to the 2019 season. The Huskies have spent a total of 144 weeks in the AVCA top 20/25 Poll in program history, including 71 weeks in the top 10.
SCSU in the 2025 AVCA DII National Poll
#3 – Preseason
#10 – Week One
WELCOME TO THE PACK
The Huskies welcomed three newcomers to the team this fall (all freshmen): setter/opposite Asta Hildebrand (North Liberty, Iowa / Liberty HS), middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn. / Redwood Valley HS) and outside hitter/defensive specialist Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D. / Watertown HS).
SEASON PREVIEW
St. Cloud State Volleyball was selected to finish first in the 2025 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Additionally, reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) second team All-American, redshirt senior middle blocker Ella Thompson (Lakeville, Minn.) was named the Preseason Player of the Year for the conference.
The defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Huskies amassed 212 points in the poll, including eight of the 16 first place votes, earning the top spot in the preseason poll for the first time in program history.
Rounding out the top five behind the Huskies is Concordia-St. Paul (2nd, 208 points, four first place votes), Southwest Minnesota State (3rd, 202 points, four first place votes), Wayne State (4th, 188 points) and Northern State (5th, 170 points).
"Once again, I'm impressed with the work that these women have put in, throughout the spring, competitive season, and the off-season," said head coach Chad Braegelmann. "They continue to improve as volleyball players, students of the game and as role models to the young girls that watch our sport. I am excited to see some new players step up into bigger roles, this fall and am excited for the combination of experience and youth that we look to roster this fall."
Braegelmann enters his 10th competitive season at the helm of St. Cloud State Volleyball and his 24th season overall as a collegiate head coach in 2025 (*note – no season was held in 2020-21 due to the global pandemic). His record at SCSU is 179-95 (.653) including an 107-69 (.608) mark in NSIC play after leading last year's team to a 29-3 record (18-0 NSIC).
Last season, he was tabbed as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. It was the third time (2019, 2021) he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, and first time being named a regional coach of the year. It was the first time in SCSU Volleyball history that a coach earned regional coach of the year honors.
On the court, the Huskies return four of six starters from last year's team, headlined by Thompson, the 2025 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year and fellow reigning AVCA All-American, senior setter Emma Berran (Inver Grove Heights, Minn).
In her first season playing for SCSU in 2024, Thompson was a first team All-Central Region selection by the AVCA and a second team all-region pick by the D2CCA. The Lakeville native was a first team All-NSIC selection and was named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the UP North Tournament All-Tournament Team. The middle blocker finished the regular season No. 30 among DII players in hitting percentage and was top six among NSIC players in hitting percentage, points/set, kills/set and total kills.
"Ella is fantastic offensively and does not get cheated on her swings," said Braegelmann. "She is very intense on the volleyball court and has grown in her knowledge of the game. Her energy on the court is contagious."
Last season, Berran became the first setter in program history to become a multiple time All-American and became just the fourth player in program history to be named an All-American in more than one season. She was also named to the All-Central Region First Team by the AVCA. Additionally, the Inver Grove Heights product was a First Team All-NSIC pick and was selected to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team, the NSIC Tournament All-Tournament Team and the Yotes Classic Showdown All-Tournament Team. She currently ranks No. 4 in career assists in program history and became the first player in SCSU Volleyball history to surpass 1,000 assists in each of her first three seasons. She finished the regular season No. 6 in assists/set and No. 7 in total assists among DII players while ranking second in both assists/set and total assists among NSIC players this season.
In addition to the two All-Americans, SCSU returns Second Team All-NSIC Selection and NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team member, junior middle blocker Hannah Bruskiewicz (Rogers, Minn.), NSIC All-Tournament Team pick, junior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and 2023 First Team All-NSIC Selection, graduate student middle blocker Sam Zimmerman (Moorhead, Minn.). The Huskies also return a pair of defensive specialists who played in 95+ of the team's 113 sets last season in senior Emily Kern (Belgrade, Minn.) and junior Annika Forbes (Cottage Grove, Minn.).
RECORD BOOK CHECK
After the historic 2024 season, many updates have been made to the record book. Click the link below to access the updated version.
Updated Record Book
A LOOK BACK AT THE HISTORIC 2024 SEASON
SCSU is coming off one of the program's most historic and record-breaking seasons. The Huskies set numerous program records including fewest losses in a season (3), longest win streak (25), highest AVCA national poll ranking (No. 2), best conference record (18-0), best 20 match start (18-2). Sixteen of SCSU's 29 wins came against teams ranked/receiving votes in the AVCA Poll, including seven top-10 victories. All 18 of the Huskies sweeps came in the last 23 matches.
St. Cloud State made its fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and 10th overall in program history while being selected to host an NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament for the first time in program history. SCSU won its third NSIC Tournament Championship in program history, while making its fifth straight NSIC Tournament Championship match and moved to 13-2 (.867) all-time in NSIC Tournament matches. It was the first time St. Cloud State hosted the NSIC semifinals/championship match. For the third time in program history the Huskies finished conference play undefeated. SCSU also became just the third NSIC team to post a perfect conference season since 2011. St. Cloud State won its fourth regular season conference championship in program history.
Braegelmann was tabbed as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Coach of the Year and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. It was the third time (2019, 2021) he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, and first time being named a regional coach of the year. It was the first time in SCSU Volleyball history that a coach had earned regional coach of the year honors.
The 2025 Huskies Volleyball Season Ticket Package is available now and can be purchased/renewed for $70/seat on SCSUTickets.com or by calling 320-308-2137. The package includes a general admission ticket to each of the 10 regular season home matches.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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