Minnesota State posted a 1-1 record this past weekend as it defeated Bemidji State in five sets. The Mavericks then fell to Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, by a score of 3-0. With the split, MSU currently stands 8-6 overall, with a mark of 4-3 in NSIC action. 

Junior Tiana Runck (Springfield, Minn.) led the Maverick offense with 18 kills (2.57 per set), while hitting .349 through the two matches. Runck also posted one block, one dig and three assists in eight sets played.

Sophomore setter Ellie Van De Steeg (Hutchinson, Minn.) paced the MSU offensive attack, recording 84 assists (10.50 per set) in two matches this weekend. Van De Steeg also posted 21 digs, three kills and one block

Scouting the Opponent: The Mavericks will do battle with Augustana and Wayne State who have combined for a 25-5 record. MSU will continue action on Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D. against Augustana and will turn its attention to Wayne State on Saturday.

Augustana is currently 13-2 overall with a mark of 5-2 in conference action and are currently receiving votes in the latest edition of the AVCA Top-25 Poll. The Vikings are coached by Ashley Buckley who is in her sixth season at the helm of the Augustana volleyball program. Augie is led by senior Holly Hafemeyer who has tallied 221 kills (4.17 per set), she is joined by junior Courtney Ysker who has also eclipsed the 200 kills mark this season, Ysker  currently has 214 kills during the 2013 campaign. 

No. 15 Wayne State is under the direction of Scott Kniefl, who is in his ninth season at the helm of the Wildcat volleyball team. WSC currently boasts a 12-3 record with a mark of 4-3  in league action. The Wildcats are led by senior Cori Hobbs who has recorded 194 kills during the 2013 campaign. 

Ace-Ace in Your Face: The Mavericks are currently sixth in the conference in service aces, posting 77 aces (1.48 per set), through the first 14 matches. Senior Briel Hendricksen (Lakefield, Minn.) leads the way with 20 service aces this season (0.42 per set) which ranks her fourth in the conference in total service aces.

Set-by-Set: MSU has posted a 4-4 record in matches that last three sets so far this season, while amassing a 1-1 record in four-set matches and posting a 3-1 record in matches that extend into the fifth set. 

Nationally-Known: The Mavericks have faced three teams ranked in the top-25 nationally, including the nation's No. 1 and No. 2 teams. MSU is currently 0-3 against the nation's top-ranked teams. 

How We Stack Up: Minnesota State has recorded 662 kills this season compared to 594 by its opponents, while racking up 625 assists compared to its opponents 547. The Mavericks have only been able to tally 64 total blocks to their opponents who have recorded 97 blocks this season. 

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