UMAC Game of the Week: Bethany Lutheran vs. St. Scholastica - Volleyball
The UMAC Game of the Week runs each Wednesday during the conference regular season and breaks down one key matchup from one sport.
The Matchup
Saturday, Sept. 22 - Bethany Lutheran College at the College of St. Scholastica, volleyball, 6 p.m. in Duluth, Minnesota
***UPDATE*** St. Scholastica wins 3-0
What's at Stake
- Early positioning - Still early in the season, the two teams are 2-2 and could go head-to-head in securing a postseason spot or positioning in the standings for better seeding to host or avoid a quarterfinal match-up.
- Historical win - St. Scholastica has not lost to Bethany Lutheran since the 2008 season. The Vikings lost both matches to the Saints last season and fell 3-1 in the second meeting and were just a few points from forcing a fifth set (CSS won fourth set 25-23).
- Fulfilling destiny - St. Scholastica was picked to finish fourth in the UMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll while Bethany Lutheran was slated fifth. The Vikings missed the postseason last year after making it as the No. 5 seed in 2016.
Previously in Action
- Bethany Lutheran split in UMAC triangular action at home Tuesday defeating Martin Luther College 3-0 before falling the University of Minnestoa Morris 3-1.
- St. Scholastica also went 1-1 at home Tuesday with a 3-0 win over Northland College before ending in a tough 3-2 loss to University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Need to Know
- Double trouble - Brooke Schermann has recorded kill-dig double-doubles in three of four UMAC matches this season. She and Tatum Swanson have also both reached double digits in kills in three of four matches this season, making them a dual threat for the Vikings to stop.
- Magic No. 12 - The Vikings' leading hitter, Megan Rutt, has recorded exactly 12 kills in three of the team's four UMAC matches so far this season.
- Offense vs. Defense - The Saints rank second in the league in kills per set (12.87) for one of the most productive offenses. The Vikings are second in fewest kills per set allowed (9.38). The match will be the second of the day for both teams (both play No. 25 University of Northwestern first), and the team that plays to its strengths better should come out ahead.
Players to Watch - Bethany Lutheran
- Mackenna Hinz, Sr., DS - UMAC Stats: 3.92 d/s, 51 digs
- Mindy Poehler, Jr., MB - UMAC Stats: 2.46 k/s, 0.69 b/s
- Megan Rutt, Jr., OH - Honorable Mention last season, UMAC Stats - 3.46 k/s, 45 kills, .221 attack %
Players to Watch - St. Scholastica
- Brooke Schermann, Jr., OH - UMAC Stats: 3.40 k/s, 51 kills, 3.33 d/s, Sept. 17 Offensive Player of the Week
- Tatum Swanson, Jr., RS/MB - UMAC Stats: 2.87 k/s, 43 kills, .309 attack %, 0.60 b/s
- Taylor Thompson, So., DS - UMAC stats: 4.40 d/s, 66 digs
This game will be a "can't miss." Keep up with the
live video and
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2018-19 Game of the Week Archives