Minnesota State University (6-2) will play its first home matches of the season as they host the University of Sioux Falls (8-1) and Southwest Minnesota State (7-0)

Home Sweet Home: The Maverick volleyball team is 9-1 in home openers in the past ten years, the only loss Minnesota State suffered in the first home game of the season came at the hands of the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears in 2010. Last season, the Mavericks amassed a 7-3 record within the friendly confines of the Taylor Center.

Climbing the Ranks: Minnesota State started its 2012 campaign No. 23 in the AVCA Top 25 Poll and after posting a 6-2 record through the first two weeks of the season the Mavericks are currently ranked No. 11.

Conference Foes: The No. 11 Mavericks are one of six NSIC schools in this week’s Top 25 Poll; Minnesota State is joined by No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State, No. 3 Concordia-St. Paul, No. 4 Minnesota Duluth, No. 18 Wayne State and T-22 Minnesota State-Moorhead.

Climbing to the Top: Senior outside hitter Chelsea Fogarty (Belle Plaine, Minn.) has recorded 110 kills so far this season and has 1,257 career kills (sixth most in school history), she needs 298 more to become the school’s all-time kill leader. Jen Jacobs (1999-2002) currently owns the all-time kill record with 1,555. Fogarty has averaged over 382 kills per season throughout her first three years.

New Faces: This year the NSIC officially expanded to 16 teams with the addition of the University of Sioux Falls and Minot State joining the conference. Friday will mark the first volleyball game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls.

Can You Dig It?: Junior libero Kelli Elhardt leads Minnesota State in digs with 125 (4.17 per set). Elhardt also boasts a .966 receiving percentage only committing five receiving errors in 145 total attempts.

Ace, Ace in Your Face: The Mavericks have recorded 41 service aces so far this season in comparision to 26 by their opponents. Minnesota State averages 1.4 aces per set. Senior Jill Storlie leads the Mavericks in service aces with 10.

Second Set Strong: Minnesota State is currently 7-1 in the second set of their matches. The Mavericks have won 20 total sets compared to 10 by their opponents.

Setting the Bar: Freshman setter Ellie Van De Steeg has recorded 323 assists through her first eight games as a Maverick, averaging 10.77 assists per set. Van De Steeg is currently fifth on the team in total blocks with 14.

Block Party: The Mavericks have recorded 78 total blocks this season compared to 51 by their opponents. Senior Jill Storlie leads the way for Minnesota state with 45 total blocks (1.5 per set).

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