Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Lady Samsons start season Friday

IRONWOOD - The Gogebic Community College Lady Samsons start the volleyball season with a tournament at Vermilion at Friday and Saturday.

Coach Aaron Bender just wishes more players were making the trip than the eight currently on the roster. But the Lady Samsons have a good group of setters and outside hitters to make up for that.

"Numbers are down," he said. "It's frustrating. But at the same token, it is what is. These are the girls have committed and have shown their dedication to the game. I think the talent is still there."

Sophomore Sarah Trudgeon of Bessemer, freshman Lauren Ryskey of Watersmeet and freshman Mandy Perrault of Lake Linden all come in with setting experience. Perrault already graduated from GCC, but she continues to take classes here.

"I think we have enough setting; I think we'll be OK in that category," Bender said.

Sophomore Darian Vinkemeier of Belle Plain, Minn., and freshman Lexi Engler of Mercer, Wis., will be the outside hitters. Perrault will join them at times.

"We have two very strong outside hitters," Bender said. "We'll struggle a little bit in the middle."

Sophomore Elizabeth Hill of Drummond will be a utility player. India Schindler of Iron River, Mich., and Dani Irons of Hurley round out the Lady Samsons.

The NJCAA Division II Region 13 tournament will be hosted by Dakota County Technical College in the Twin Cities on Oct. 23-25.

"We don't have a conference to compete in," Bender said. "You gradually improve and then make some noise in that region tournament and anything can happen."

The Lady Samsons first home game is Sept. 9 against Finlandia.

Schedule

Friday, Saturday, at Vermilion Tournament

Friday, Sept. 4-Saturday, Sept. 5, at Northland

Wednesday, Sept. 9, vs. Finlandia

Saturday, Sept. 12, at UW-Marinette Invite

Wednesday, Sept. 16, vs. Vermilion, UWS JV

Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. DCTC, Silver Lake College, UW-Barron County

Monday, Sept. 21, at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Saturday, Sept. 26, at Itasca CC Invite

Monday, Sept. 28, at UW-Barron County

Wednesday, Sept. 30, at UWS JV

Friday, Oct. 2, at Silver Lake College

Friday, Oct. 9-Saturday, Oct. 10, at Finlandia University

Monday, Oct. 12, vs. Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Monday, Oct. 19, at Finlandia University

Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Hibbing

Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday, Oct. 24, Sunday, Oct. 25, NJCAA Division II Region 13 tournament, Roseville, Minn.