The heart of the 2017 MCAC volleyball season approaches, and several teams head in the weekend with some key Divisional match-ups.  Almost all programs in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference are scheduled to play over the next six days, with some nationally ranked squads facing off across the state.   A quick look around the Minnesota College Athletic Conference volleyball ranks as Week 3 moves into weekend contests. 

Northern Division: 

Northland CTC turned some heads and found themselves in the 'Receiving Votes' category of the NJCAA national poll; the Pioneers take on Vermilion Community College in Ely, and then travel to follow ranked squad,  Mesabi Range College in Virginia. VCC will also host Central Lakes on Saturday. Currently unbeaten Hibbing Community College is one of several MCAC squads traveling to Anoka-Ramsey, where they will participate in the Golden Ram weekend tournament.  HCC is riding the momentum of a hardfought,  3-2 win over Itasca CC on Wednesday and will open with Dakota County Technical College on Saturday. ICC will open at the same event, with the JV team of Bethel University.  Rainy River, currently 3-3 on the year,  is another Iron Range team making the trek to Coon Rapids, where they hope to build on their win over Fond du Lac on September 6th. The FDL Thunder are off this weekend, and will host ICC on Wednesday, Sept. 13.  An important MCAC North match is tonight, as #5 CLC travels to (rv) Mesabi Range College.  Action starts at 6:30pm in Virginia. 

 Southern Division: 

With Anoka-Ramsey hosting many of their northerly MCAC neighbors, new ARCC head coach Sarah Herlofsky will get to see Itasca CC and Rainy River, before returning to Southern Division play on Wednesday, Sept.13 against nationally ranked M State.  Abby Crowser and her Spartans have a rare weekend off, as does Southern Division front-runner, Ridgewater College.   By virture of their mid-week win over M State, the 3rd ranked Warriors sit atop the Conference standings at 2-0.  St. Cloud Technical & Community College has put together a 7-2 overall record and 1-0 Division mark in 2017, earning them a national ranking from the NJCAA.  The Cyclones will take on Minnesota West on Friday at 6:30pm for their only weekend action.  Minnesota West has picked it's battles wisely so far in 2017, having competed only twice, but winning both matches: 3-2 over RCTC and a 3-0 shutout of Western Technical College.  With an upset tonight, the Ladyjays would move into a tie for first with Ridgewater.  MnWest, and northern Division comrades Hibbing and Northland all sit 2-0 on the season.  After taking on some strong competition in tournaments earlier this season, Rochester CTC is off this weekend. They will resume play next Wednesday at nearby Western Technical College, who is also off until then. Riverland CC is also off until next week. 

A new feature is available to fans of MCAC Volleyball.  Click on 'Stats Leaders' to view the top individual performers, as well as team statistics, in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference. 

For full MCAC Volleyball Stats, Standings and more, visit: http://www.mcacsports.org/sports/wvball/index

To Follow Minnesota College Athletic Conference sports in 2017,  please go to: www.mcacsports.org

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This release sponsored in part by Gopher Sport. 

Gopher Sport, based in Owatonna, is an industry leader in Physical Education, sports and fitness equipment.  Gopher Sport is dedicated to providing programs and departments with the products to improve fitness, develop skills, create fun and reach a high standard of learning and living. Gopher Sport has diligently served teachers, coaches and athletic directors around the world for over 65 years. 

Photos courtsey of The Globe and Hibbing Daily Tribune