Burnsville, Minn. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2022 Preseason Volleyball Coaches' Poll this morning, with Northern State picked fifth in the league. The Wolves tallied 149 points and were tied with Minnesota Duluth in the fifth spot.
 
NSU posted an 18-11 mark in 2022, notching top-25 victories over No. 25 Rockhurst, No. 10 Winona State, No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State, and No. 10 Concordia-St. Paul. The Wolves finished the year fifth in the NSIC standings, holding a 13-7 league record. Three Wolves were named to the NSIC All-Conference teams, including first teamer and NSU player to watch Sally Gaul. The Wolves return 11 from a season ago and welcome seven freshman and incoming transfer this fall. Northern enters their 12th season under the direction of head coach Brent Aldridge, who earned NSIC Coach of the Year honors in 2013, 2015, and 2018.
 
Northern opens the 2022 campaign in Golden, Colorado facing Colorado Mesa, Colorado School of Mines, UT Tyler, and Western Colorado August 26 and 27. The Wolves will face two NSIC foes (MSU Moorhead and Augustana) in the second weekend of the year, alongside Truman State and South Dakota Mines. They open the NSIC slate at home on September 9 and 10 versus Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston.
 
Northern State Player to Watch
#19 Sally Gaul (OH, 6-0, Gr., Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling Catholic HS)

• Led Northern State with 396 kills, averaging 3.63 per set in 2021
• Ranked top-10 in the NSIC in total kills, kills per set, points, and points per set a season ago
• 2-time NSIC All-Conference performer, first team member in 2021