Dustin

Here's the article with Crandall. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24517693/college-signing-day-twin-cities-area-commitments Have not seen an article stating Cashman signed his letter.

Griffin signed her Letter of Intent yesterday, too. http://www.marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/542520/VOLLEYBALL--Beekman--Bennett--Griffin-make-college-choices.html?nav=5021

Dooley signed her Letter of Intent yesterday. http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/89952/ Dooley and her Central Cass Squirrels will play for the Region 1 championship tonight for a berth in the State Tournament.

Idaho St. earned their berth in the conference tourney last night. If indeed the 2014 conference tournament will NOT be hosted by the 2013 regular season champion (as indicated by Smoggy above), tonight's game doesn't have as much riding on it as it once did. Even with a UND loss, that doesn't eliminate the girls' chances of winning the Big Sky regular season, it just means that we'd need help from one of PSU's opponents (unless the game is so close that we'd still have the tie-breaker - unlikely). If I had to chose between Big Sky regular season champ and post-season champ, I probably choose regular season champ under the assumption the BESC would get to host the tourney next year. But without that carrot dangling, I would rather have the NCAA auto-bid. If Robinson could get back playing, we should be good enough to achieve both.

This game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

I know this isnt' related to tonight's game, but I checked my TV guide last night, and North Dakota @ Wisconsin will be on Big Ten Network.

Northern Colorado swept Sac St. last night. The Bears may just be in the conference tourney after all. Yikes!!

Changing the conference tourney host site to the current regular season champion is a good idea...it would make volleyball like basketball. Earlier this year I was actually thinking that if the league would have back-to-back regular season champions, that would be the perfect time to make this switch (i.e. Portland State wins regular season this year - they would host the tournament anyway, and then next year, the current regular season could start hosting.) As far as divisions go, isn't that really more of a scheduling agreement anyway? You still would have an overall regular season champion, who could then host the tournament. I wonder how the tournament field will be determined with the divisions. I suppose this will apply to basketball too.

Agreed. This match will likely have a huge factor on, not only 2013, but also 2014.

Attendance on Saturday was a little lower than I was hoping. Not sure how many volleyball fans are deer hunters (I happen to be one), but I hunt near Larimore, so I quit just a little early to go to the VB game.

Couple of positives I took from this game: 1. Attendance. Don't have an official number, but it appears the town is starting to rally around these girls. 2. McKenzie Hart. Hardee gave McKenzie a chance to hit and she made the most of it. She also had some service aces. To me she was the "Hart" of the team for UND (sorry, had to do it).

UNC is waaay better than their record, and I think every top team will be happy if they don't make the conference tournament.

Another 22-25 loss. Hardee has tried Moser, Hart, and Ulrich to try to solve UNC. I think Krueger will be next.

Close first set - UND drops it 22-25. Nice crowd on hand.

No upsets last night - both PSU and NAU won in straight sets.

The UND sports zone video today stated that Hooker was likely NOT to redshirt.

Since NAU lost, it would be nice if they could beat Portland St. this weekend, and that would increase our breathing room, especially since we have to play at PSU on the 14th. But that's not to overlook this weekend's opponents for UND - I think this is toughest 2-game home weekend of the schedule.

http://www.ncaa.com/rankings/volleyball-women/d1 They are updated every Monday, I believe. UND is currently at #110, 2 spots behind #108 Portland State.

Pioske named Big Sky VB POW http://www.bigskyconf.com/news/2013/11/4/WVBALL_1104130914.aspx

Does the school or the conference supply championship banners?

couldn't tell who was in the game, but it wouldn't surprise me if Hardee was experimenting with different lineups and substitutes. Could be reason they dropped the 3rd set. It was also the second game in as many days and on the road, so dropping a set shouldn't necessarily be a call for alarm.

Win @ Weber St. In 4. No commentary in the webcast so I don't know who played well, etc. But volleyball is definitely the bright spot this weekend. Two games against middle of the pack teams next weekend at home, which is tough to predict.

Pioske did lead in kills tonight, I think. She was a favorite go-to of the setter Husfeldt, but she was blocked many times too hitting from the left side. I thought Parlich could have been utilized more. I'm anxious to see the box score tomorrow. This team is incredibly resilient, as we've seen tonight and especially at UNC. What a great attribute to be able to win on the road, even when the odds are against you.

Sioux win on the road @ ISU in 5 sets. Won sets 4 and 5 after figuring out how to block. Great road win. Good thing the tough team is the first game of the weekend.

Tonight - Hockey on TV, Volleyball on the internet!