Burnsville, MN (NSUWolves.com) – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2025 Preseason Volleyball Coaches’ Poll today with Northern State was picked fifth overall. The Wolves tallied 170 points and Abby Schauer, formerly Meister, was named the team’s preseason player to watch.

The 2025 NSIC Volleyball season will begin with non-conference matches on Thursday, September 4 while the NSIC schedule begins September 19.  The NSIC regular season champion will be determined by the 20-match conference schedule. The 2025 NSIC Volleyball Tournament shall be an eight-team tournament with the quarterfinals hosted at the top four seeds on Tuesday, November 18 and the semifinals/championship matches hosted at the highest remaining seed. The semifinals/championship matches will take place on two consecutive days between Friday and Sunday, November 21-23 with the dates of competition determined by the host institution.

LOOKING BACK AT 2024

2024 saw the Wolves go 21-7 overall and 12-6 in the Northern Sun, advancing to the semifinal round of the NSIC Tournament. Four Wolves were honored on the NSIC All-Conference and CSC Academic All-District teams, while Abby Meister earned both All-Region and All-American accolades. They spent time ranked in the AVCA Top-25 poll and the NCAA Central Region Rankings, finishing the season ranked at No. 22 in the nation.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025

Northern heads into the 2025 season with six new faces, including two transfer student-athletes. The Wolves kick-off the year with back-to-back tournaments at Chadron State and Minnesota State before opening the NSIC slate at Winona and Concordia-St. Paul. NSU will debut at Wachs Arena on September 23 against the league’s newest member, the University of Jamestown.

ALDRIDGE’S THOUGHTS

• On the Team: “I think we have a mix of experience and youth. Graduating setter Keri Walker and outside hitter Hanna Thompson will leave some big shoes to fill. Preseason will be a chance to evaluate and let players compete to earn their spots. I am excited to see how it all comes together as we prepare for another tough season in the NSIC.”
• On Schauer: “We return two-time All-NSIC first team honoree Abby (Meister) Schauer to anchor our backcourt this season. Abby was named Libero of the Year in 2024 after digging 578 balls at an average of 5.67 digs per set. For her effort Abby was named the first All-American libero in Northern State history. Abby is a very humble and hard-working player in the classroom and on the court. She is a two-time CSC Academic All-District® recipient and was named a CSC Academic All-American® in 2024. I look forward to watching Abby compete during her senior year.”

2025 NSIC PRESEASON POLL