MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team is set for its final home stand of the season when it hosts No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. The Mavericks then welcome MSU Moorhead on Friday at 6:00 p.m., before closing the weekend against No. 7 Northern State on Saturday. First serve is set for 3:00 p.m.
Mavericks at a Glance: Minnesota State enters the week with a 12-11 (6-9 NSIC) record. Most recently, the Mavericks upended Sioux Fall, 3-0, on the road. The Cougars entered last week receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 poll.
Senior Day: The Mavericks will honor two seniors prior to their regular season home finale against No. 7 Northern State. Minnesota State will recognize outside hitters Jackie Jones and Megan Hulscher.
Impact Mavericks: Junior Sydney Powell sets the pace for the Mavericks with a team-best 207 (2.92/s) kills this season. Freshman Micayla Porter is contributing a team-high 458 (5.65/s) assists while freshman Mara Quam is notching 348 (4.30/s) digs on the defensive end.
By the Numbers: As a team this season, Minnesota State has compiled 12.6 kills per set in comparison to its opponents' 11.4. Additionally, the Mavericks add 11.9 assists per set to go along with 14.2 digs per set.
Servin' Aces: Minnesota State totaled 11 service aces last weekend and lead the NSIC with 155 (1.91/s) this season. Freshman Micayla Porter posted three service aces at Sioux Falls and paces Mavericks with 37 total which ranks second in the NSIC.
On the Defensive End: Freshman Mara Quam tallied 27 digs last weekend including a match-best 17 digs at Sioux Falls. She has reached double-figures in digs 20 times this season.
Scouting #1 Concordia-St. Paul: Concordia-St. Paul is located in St. Paul, Minn., and enter the week ranked No. 1 the AVCA Coaches Poll with an overall record of 21-2 (14-1 NSIC). The Golden Bears have won their last six matches and most recently topped Southwest Minnesota State, 3-1. Concordia-St. Paul is led by Brady Starkey who is in his 15th season at the helm.
Earlier this season, Minnesota State fell to Concordia-St. Paul, 3-1, on the road. The Golden Bears lead the all-time series, 27-4.
Scouting MSU Moorhead: MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minn., and has an overall record of 9-14 (4-11 NSIC) on the season. The Dragons have won two of their last three matches including a 3-2 upset over No. 4 Minnesota Duluth . MSU Moorhead is led by head coach Tammy Blake who is in her 21st season at the helm.
The Mavericks edged the Dragons earlier this season, 3-2, on the road. Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 22-11.
Scouting #7 Northern State: Northern State is located in Aberdeen, S.D., and is currently positioned No. 7 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll with a 20-3 (13-2 NSIC) record. The Wolves have won their last four matches and most recently swept No. 4 Minnesota Duluth, 3-0. Northern State is led by seventh year head coach Brent Alridge.
The Mavericks are 0-2 this season against the Wolves. In its most recent encounter, Northern State blanked Minnesota State, 3-0, on Sept. 29. The Mavericks lead the all-time series, 17-9.
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State travels to Minot State on Nov. 10 . First serve is set for 6:00 p.m.
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