Bismarck Tribune

By CINDY PETERSBy CINDY PETERSON

University of Mary volleyball coach Eric Snyder found out a lot about his team this past weekend at the Alaska-Anchorage tournament.

The Marauders went 2-2, with both wins coming against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Snyder was the impressed most with his team's camaraderie.

"They played together well," Snyder said. "They learned a lot about themselves as a team. For the most part, I was impressed with the way we play ed together and stayed together."

The Marauders will host their own tournament Friday and Saturday. Snyder will be looking for more consistency from his squad.

In Alaska, the Marauders won the first set against the Academy of Art and Alaska-Anchorage but couldn't hold on for another set win.

"We are trying to get over the hump of being competitive through an entire match and not just one set,"Snyder said. "I told them they are going to give me gray hairs by the middle of the season."

Snyder boasted about the trip to Alaska. The Marauders got to feed reindeer, see a chocolate fountain and see beautiful scenery, including Mt. McKinley.

Even though the trip was enjoyable, Snyder said he is looking forward to coaching his first match in the McDowell Activity Center.

"I'm very excited about this weekend," he said. "Everybody loves to play at home. There's a reason for that. You get your fans behind you. It's a great opportunity to show and expose the campus to what we have to offer."

Strong defense

U-Mary women's soccer coach Levi Evans can't grumble about this team's effort on defense in a 1-0 victory over Nebraska-Kearney. The Marauders allowed the Lopers just one shot during the whole game, and goalkeeper Carly Feiler didn't need to make a single save.

Evans said that Feiler did stay active during the match.

"We had to play the ball to her feet a lot," Evans said. "Carly had couple crosses that she had to come off the line. She did get us out of the crapper a few times."

The defense played phenomenal despite playing without two hurting starters.

Megan Hellrung didn't play because of a medical issue, and Markelle Gallagher collided with an opponent in the first half. Gallagher was held out for precautionary reasons.

"Whenever we can pitch a shutout, we will win a lot of games," Evans said. "Ideally, we want to keep working on our defense, but that gives your attack time to develop."

Men's basketball team gets two commitments

U-Mary's new men's basketball coach Randall Herbst has rolled up his sleeves and gone to work.

Herbst got two early commitments from Minnesota Mike Johnson of Grand Rapids High School and Shaun Condon of MACCRAY High School.

Johnson is a 5-foot-9 point guard who averaged 10 points and seven assists per game last season.

Johnson said he couldn't find anything negative about U-Mary.

"Icame up to visit three weeks ago,"Johnson said. "It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I can just relax and worry about winning a state championship here."

Condon is a 6-3 shooting guard. He averaged 23 points and five rebounds a game as a junior.

"I liked the town, and the university was awesome,"Condon said. "I liked the coaches. My high school team is predicted to win the state tournament. Signing early will help me focus on that."

MACCRAY is a 1A high school.