No. 10 UMD volleyball fueled by Friday first mentality ahead of top ranked test
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Last Thursday the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) volleyball team took down eighth ranked St. Cloud State University (SCSU) 3-1, then swept the University of Minnesota Crookston 3-0, to claw their way back to 10th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
That win at SCSU was the first time this season UMD beat a fellow ranked opponent. They’ll need to do it again this weekend, as the 14-5 Bulldogs host number two, once beaten, Concordia University, St. Paul (18-1) Saturday.
However, first up is Minnesota State University-Mankato this Friday.
“Mankato swept Northern State. Northern State beat us here on our floor. So if that’s not enough to get their attention, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how else to help them. The league is too good. There’s too many upsets that are happening right now, and the goal is to take the match that’s directly in front of you,” head coach Jim Boos said.
Three weeks ago UMD dropped their Friday match to an unranked Augustana University 3-2 ahead of their Saturday battle with No. 1 Wayne State, that ended in a 3-0 Bulldogs loss.
The UMD volleyball team is seeking revenge against Wayne State when they face them in the first round of the NCAA tournament on November 30th.
“You can’t beat Concordia on Friday. The only team you can beat on Friday is Mankato,” Boos added.
First serve Friday against Mankato is 6 p.m. at Romano Gym, then No. 10 UMD hosts No. 2 Concordia Saturday at 2 p.m..