MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team (9-3) will take to the road as they travel to Wayne, Neb., to face off with Wayne State Wildcats, before making the trip to Sioux Falls, S.D., to take on the Augustana Vikings in NSIC play.  

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week with a 9-3 (2-2 NSIC) overall record after dropping a pair of matches against #12 St. Cloud State and #3 Minnesota Duluth last weekend.  

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is being led on offense by senior outside hitter Morgan Olson who has recorded 169 kills (4.57/s) while adding 25 blocks.  Sophomore setter Dana Schindler leads the way in assists with 345 (8.85/s).  Seniors Ashton Lee and Anissa Janzig have recorded 32 and 34 blocks, respectively, on the defensive end.  

Scouting #15 Wayne State: Wayne State is located in Wayne, Neb., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Wildcats are currently 12-1 on the season and ranked #15th in the nation. Wayne State is coached by Scott Kneifl who is in his 15th year with the team.

As a team this season, Wayne State is averaging 13.5 kills per set compared to its opponents 9.4. Additionally, the Wildcats average 12.3 assists per set and 18.5 digs per frame. 

Wayne State is led on offense by Kelsie Cada and Tarrin Beller who have recorded 128 and 118 kills respectively.  Rachel Walker is the primary setter for the team and has 443 assists this season.  Beller leads the team in blocks with 51 while Hope Carter has recorded 149 digs.  

Last season, the Mavericks spilt a pair of matches with the Wildcats, dropping the first match 3-2 before sweeping Wayne State in the final week of the season.  

Scouting Augustana: Augustana is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Vikings are 10-3 this season with a 3-2 conference record.  Augustana is led by head coach Jen Jacobs who is entering her third year with the team.

As a team this season, the Vikings average 13.7 kills per set while their opponents notch 11.1. Augustana has also averages 12.6 assists per set and 18.7 digs per set. 

Maddy Guetter leads the Viking offense with 144 kills and has recorded 62 digs on the season.  Avery Thorson initiates the offense and has recorded 487 assists this year.  Erika Bute is a defensive specialist for Augustana and has recorded 294 digs on the season.  

Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Vikings twice by scores of 3-1 in their two matchups.  

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return home next weekend for matches with Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State with first serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Friday, and 2:00 p.m., Saturday.