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FOR THE RECORD: UM-Morris heads into this weekend’s Sugar Loaf Classic on the heels of a 13-13 performance during the 2022 season, including a 10-4 mark in UMAC play.
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HOME (AND ROAD) SUCCESS: UM-Morris closed out the 2022 season sporting a 6-3 record on its home court. The Cougars picked up seven of their 13 wins, meanwhile, on the road, sitting at 7-10 away from Cougar Sports Center in Morris, Minn.
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ON THE ATTACK: As a team, UM-Morris recorded 1,002 kills during the 2022 season, and closed out the year boasting four players who eclipsed the 100-kill barrier. Maggie Jones ended the season with a team-best 188 kills (2.29 kps), followed closely by Laura Wellbrock, who amassed 184 kills (2.15 kps). Lydia Nash and Anna Molstad each chipped in 140 kills a year ago. … As a team, the Cougars posted four matches with 50 of more kills — including a season-high 59-kill effort against UW-Superior on Nov. 2.
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GIVING AN ASSIST: McKenzie Newton was an assist machine a year ago, accounting for 700 of the team’s 916 helpers. Newton finished the year averaging 8.14 assists-per-set, and recorded 11 matches with 30 or more assists. … Newton dished out 40 assists against UW-Superior on Nov. 2, and tallied a season-high 41 helpers vs. Saint Benedict on Sept. 14.
• SERVING UP ACES: Jones served up a team-high 29 aces in 2022, and was one of four Cougars with at least 20 service aces, being joined by Alyssa Ukestad (25), Nash (23), and Wellbrock (22).
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DIGGING IT: Ukestad collected a team-leading 399 digs last season, and was one of five players to deliver more than 100 digs. Sydney Eckhoff was second to Ukestad with 225 digs, while Newton (210), Wellbrock (174), and Nash (102) also cracked the 100-dig mark.
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DOUBLING UP: Newton collected a team-leading six assist/dig double-doubles, while Jones chipped in three kill/dig double-doubles.
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CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS: Ten of UM-Morris’ 13 wins in 2022 were 3-0 sweeps, with the other three victories coming in four sets. On the flip side, eight of the Cougars’ 13 losses were settled in three sets. … UM-Morris played just two five-set matches last season, losing both. UM-M lost to Saint Benedict 3-2 on Sept. 14, while dropping a 3-2 decision to UW-Superior on Nov. 2.
