MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team opens its season on the road for the 13th consecutive season as it travels to Evansville, Ind., for the USI Invitational. The Mavericks will face four teams from four conferences over the two-day span beginning with Kentucky State at 11:30 a.m. (CST) and Edinboro at 4:30 p.m. (CST) on Friday. MSU will wrap up the weekend squaring off with Ohio Dominican at 9:00 a.m. (CST) and Southern Indiana at 2:00 p.m. (CST) on Saturday. 

Preseason Outlook: The Mavericks were picked to finish tenth out of 16 teams in the 2018 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll. Concordia-St. Paul was tabbed to finish first for the fourth season in a row. Southwest Minnesota State was slotted second and Minnesota Duluth rounded out the top three. 

Returning Roster: The Mavericks return seven players from the 2017 season, including three juniors, Morgan Olson, Anissa Janzig and Joie Veldman

New Faces: Minnesota State will have six new faces on the roster for the 2018 campaign with the addition of six freshman: Ashley Bruehlman (Argyle, Wis.), Jane Sakowicz (Wauconda, Ill.), Dana Schindler (Carver, Minn.), Lauren Lowry (Castle Rock, Colo.), Kalee Peter (Carrol, Iowa), and Alexis Hayes (Eldridge, Iowa). 

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State expected to be led by sophomore setter Micayla Porter.  The Aubrey, Tex., native ranked third in the league with 42 service aces (.43/s) in her debut season while dishing out a team-high 581 (5.93/s) assists. Sophomore Mara Quam contributed a team-best 421 (4.30/s) digs on the defensive end which slotted her eighth in the NSIC.  A pair of outside hitters in sophomore Alivia Garbe (230 kills, 90 sets) and junior outside hitter Morgan Olson (218 kills in 85 sets), are the top two returning offensive threats.

Looking Back: After starting the 2017 season 6-3 the Mavericks closed out the year winning 4 of their last 6 matches. During the stretch, Minnesota State won the final two matches after downing University of Mary, 3-0, on Nov. 11 which marked the end of the season for Minnesota State

Bring Out the Brooms: Minnesota State  recorded ten sweeps during the 2017 season.  

By the Numbers: Last season, the Mavericks recorded 12.8 kills per set compared to its opponents 11.5. Additionally, Minnesota State added 12.1 assists per set and 14.2 digs per set. 

Minnesota State History: The 2018 season will mark the 51st season in Minnesota State volleyball history dating back to 1968. Over that span the Mavericks have compiled an all-time record of 797-637-8 (.534).

Walking the Sidelines: Head coach Lori Rittenhouse-Wollmuth enters her third season at MSU. In her first two seasons at the helm she has totaled an overall record of 47-39 (.547). In NSIC matches, she owns a 29-31 (.483) career record and appeared in the NSIC Tournament in her first two seasons. 
 
Scouting Kentucky State: Kentucky State is located in Frankfort, Kentucky., and are members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The Thorobreds finished the 2017 season with overall record of 26-13 and 16-4 SIAC. 
As a team last season, Kentucky State totaled 12.0 kills per set compared to its opponents 8.7. Additionally, the Thorobreds compiled 10.8 assists per set and 13.3 digs per frame. 

Sophomore Robin Poole returns after compiling a team leading 353 kills during her freshman campaign and junior Hannah Smyers looks to build on last season where she had 1081 assists. 

Scouting Edinboro : Edinboro is located in Edinboro, Penn., and is a member of the Pennsylvania State  Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Warriors finished the 2017 season with an overall record of 22-10 and 10-8 PSAC. Edinboro is led by head coach Missy Soboleski who is entering her fourteenth year with the team.

As a team last season, the Fighting Scots posted 12.7 kills per set while their opponents notched 10.4. Edinboro also totaled 11.6 assists per set and 16.0 digs per set. 

Sophomore Cierah Jackson recorded a team-best 385 kills. Sophomore Paige Morris also returns after a season where she blocked 99 shots.  

Scouting Ohio Dominican: Ohio Dominican is located in Columbus, Ohio and is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Panthers finished the 2017 season with a 5-26 overall record and 3-14 GLIAC. Ohio Dominican is led by  third year head coach Jennifer Fekpe. 

As a team last season, the Panthers totaled 10.87 kills in comparison to its opponents' 10.89. Additionally, Ohio Dominican posted 10.13 assists per set and 14.92 digs per set. 

Freshman Alyssa Hyong returns for Ohio Dominican after recording 257 kills last season.  Sophomore Ashton Barr led the Panthers with 778 assists last season. 

Scouting Southern Indiana: Southern Indiana is located in Evansville, Ind.,  and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Screaming Eagles finished the 2017 season with a 12-19 overall record and 5-13 GLVC. Southern Indiana is led by  fourteenth year head coach Leah Mercer. 

As a team last season, the Screaming Eagles totaled 11.8 kills in comparison to its opponents' 13.5. Additionally, Souther Indiana posted 11.0 assists per set and 15.0 digs per set. 

Junior Kelly Nadler contributed 382 kills to lead the Screaming Eagles.  Sophomore Casey Cepicky returns this season after dishing out a team-high 905 assists.  

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, to play in the Westminster Invitational on August 31st and September 1st.