MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team will host the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears Tuesday night in Taylor Center at 6:00 p.m. before traveling to Sioux Falls, S.D., to face Augustana Friday Sept. 14th at 6:00 p.m., and then Wayne, Neb. the following day to take on the Wildcats at 2:00 p.m.
Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week with a 9-1 (2-0 NSIC) overall record after winning NSIC matchups with Winona State and Upper Iowa, by a score of 3-2 in both matches. Minnesota State's 9-1 start matches the programs 2007 season, which resulted in the team finishing 19-9 with an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Impact Mavericks: Morgan Olson leads the Mavericks with a team best 166 kills and a .425 attacking percentage.
Mara Quam has compiled 172 digs to begin the year, and
Micayla Porter leads the teams in assists with 236.
By the Numbers: As a team this season, Minnesota State has posted 14.0 kills per set in comparison to its opponents 10.8. Additionally, the Mavericks add 13.4 assists per set and 13.8 digs per set.
Young Talent: The freshman class has contributed 80 digs, 212 assists, 61 kills, and 28 blocks this season. Freshman
Lauren Lowry is second on the team with 205 assists and
Dana Schindler is fourth on the team with 55 kills.
Scouting Concordia-St. Paul: Concordia-St. Paul is located in St. Paul, Minn. and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Bears have started their season 8-2 (2-0 NSIC). Concordia- St. Paul is coached by Brady Starkey who is in his 16th season with the program.
As a team this season, Concordia-St. Paul posts 15.0 kills per set while their opponents notched 10.8. The Golden Bears also total 14.3 assists per set and 17.7 digs per set.
Senior Brooklyn Lewis has recorded a team best 132 kills while junior Sara Macek leads the team with 19 blocks. Elizabeth Mohr is the primary setter for the Warriors and has compiled 406 assists
Scouting Augustana: Augustana is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Vikings are 5-5 (0-2 NSIC) so far this season. Augustana is led by second year head coach, and Maverick Hall of Famer, Jen Jacobs.
As a team this season, the Vikings total 12.9 kills in comparison to its opponents' 13.4. Additionally, Augustana posts 12.0 assists per set and 15.8 digs per set.
Senior Courtney Place leads the Vikings with 144 kills on the season while freshman Abby Benson leads the team with 28 blocks. Freshman Avery Thorson is the primary setter for the team and has amassed 336 assists this season.
Scouting Wayne State: Wayne State is located in Wayne, Neb. and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Wildcats are 8-2 (1-1 NSIC) on the season. Wayne State is led by head coach Scott Kneifl who is in his 14th season with the team.
As a team this season, the Wildcats total 12.9 kills per set in comparion to their opponents' 11.9. Additionally, Wayne State posts 11.1 assists per set and 16.0 digs per set.
Junior Tarrin Beller leads the Wildcats with 94 kills on the season while alson leading the team in blocks with 49. Senior Megan Gebhart leads Wayne State in assits with 350 this season.
Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will host a pair of conference games next weekend as Southwest Minnesota State will come to Taylor Center Friday Sept. 21st at 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday Sept. 22nd, the Sioux Falls Cougars will face off against the Mavericks in Taylor Center at 2:00
p.m.
