Lincoln, NE (August 26th, 2025) - Nebraska Wesleyan is set to open its 2025 campaign with the CSB Volleyball Tournament in St. Joseph, Minnesota, this weekend. The Prairie Wolves will begin their season with matches against Crown College and the College of St. Benedict on Friday, before facing Concordia College and Minnesota Morris on Saturday. 

GAME TIME, LOCATION, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
The College of St. Benedict will host the CSB Tournament, with all games played at Claire Lynch Hall, in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Nebraska Wesleyan will face Crown College and the College of St. Benedict at 11:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m., on Friday, August 29th. On Saturday, the Prairie Wolves will play Concordia College at 9:00 a.m., before concluding the tournament with an 11:00 a.m. match against Minnesota Morris. The MIAC Sports Network will live stream each game. The College of St. Benedict will carry live stats.

A LOOK AT NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Nebraska Wesleyan enters the CSB Tournament looking to take the next step after a second consecutive 21 win season. Kobie Patten will be a driving force behind NWU's success, after finishing second on the team in both kills and digs in 2024. The Prairie Wolves also return outside hitter Molly Ramirez who finished third on the team in kills with 232, while also picking up 47 blocks. Elecea Saathoff looks to rise up the charts as one of the most accomplished setters in the conference after recording a career high 1,050 assists in 2024. Defensively, Raegan Holle is also primed for a big senior year after posting a career best 470 digs. As a team, Nebraska Wesleyan finished with 1,343 kills, 1,245 assists, 1,861 digs, and 174 blocks.

LOOKING TO START STRONG
Since joining the American Rivers Conference in 2016, Nebraska Wesleyan has posted a 5-4 record in season opening matches. In last seasons opener, NWU defeated McMurry University 3-0, at a neutral site match in Irving, Texas. 

HEADING NORTH
Nebraska Wesleyan will play in Minnesota for fifth consecutive season. Since 2021, NWU has played 13 matches in Minnesota, posting a 9-4 record. 

HEAD COACH RAYNA CAIN
Head Coach Rayna Cain enters her 14th season at the helm, with a career record of 194-150. She's guided NWU to one NCAA tournament appearance and coached 31 All-Conference athletes. 

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN VOLLEYBALL TRADITION
Nebraska Wesleyan boasts a proud history in volleyball, with 15 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, and five conference championships. Academically, NWU has posted 22 AVCA team academic awards since 1997. 

SCOUTING CROWN COLLEGE
Crown College posted a 7-17 record while competing in the UMAC. The Polars held a hitting percentage of 10.0, while tallying 666 kills, 606 assists, 118 aces, 1530 digs, and 84 blocks. The Polars are led by Celia Blattner, in her third season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CROWN COLLEGE
Friday will mark the third meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Crown College. Nebraska Wesleyan leads the all-time series 2-0.

SCOUTING COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT
The College of St. Benedict posted a 15-12 record while competing in the MIAC. The Bennies held a hitting percentage of 17.5, while tallying 1,332 kills, 1200 assists, 201 aces, 1,787 digs, and 181 blocks. The Bennies are led by Nicole Hess, in her 16th season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT
Friday will mark the first meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and College of St. Benedict. 

SCOUTING CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Concordia College posted a 2-25 record while competing in the MIAC. The Cobbers held a hitting percentage of 10.2, while tallying 822 kills, 720 assists, 99 aces, 1,370 digs, and 102 blocks. The Cobbers are led by Faith Radermacher, in her sixth season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CONCORDIA COLLEGE
Saturday will mark the fifth meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Concordia College. Nebraska Wesleyan leads the all-time series 3-1.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA MORRIS
Minnesota Morris posted a 16-11 record while competing in the UMAC. The Cougars held a hitting percentage of 20.5, while tallying 1,164 kills, 1,051 assists, 191 aces, 1,622 digs, and 165.5 blocks. The Cougars are led by Joe Sussenguth, in his eighth season.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST MINNESOTA MORRIS
Saturday will mark the second meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Minnesota Morris. Nebraska Wesleyan leads the all-time series 1-0.