MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team (11-5) will play three matches this week, starting with a Tuesday night trip to Fayette, Iowa, to take on Upper Iowa with first serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The Mavericks will then face off with U-Mary in Bismarck, N.D., Friday night at 6:00 p.m., before traveling to Minot, N.D., to take on Minot State Saturday at noon.
Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week with a 11-5 (4-4 NSIC) overall record after sweeping both #24 Sioux Falls and #9 Southwest Minnesota State at home.
Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is being led on offense by senior outside hitter
Morgan Olson who has recorded 214 kills (4.37/s) while adding 32 blocks. Sophomore setter
Haley Shimon leads the way in assists with 477 (9.35/s). Seniors
Ashton Lee and
Anissa Janzig have recorded 42 and 45 blocks, respectively, on the defensive end.
Scouting #18 Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa is located in Fayette, Iowa, and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Peacocks are currently 12-4 on the season and ranked #18th in the nation. Upper Iowa is coached by Aaron Nelson who is in his ninth year with the team.
As a team this season, Upper Iowa is averaging 13.4 kills per set compared to its opponents 11.3. Additionally, the Peacocks average 12.3 assists per set and 17.7 digs per frame.
Upper Iowa is led on offense by Anna Winter who has recorded 259 kills on the season. Carlee Ketchum is the primary setter for the team and has 600 assists this season.
Last season, the Mavericks defeated the Peacocks 3-2 in their one matchup.
Scouting U-Mary: The University of Mary is located in Bismarck, N.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Marauders are 1-16 this season with a 0-8 conference record. U-Mary is led by head coach Korie Tetzlaff who is currently in her first year with the team.
As a team this season, the Marauders average 10.2 kills per set while their opponents notch 12.5. U-Mary has also averages 9.7 assists per set and 15.5 digs per set.
Morgan Schnabel leads the Marauder offense with 192 kills and has recorded 145 digs on the season. Sydney Murphy is the primary setter for U-Mary, having recorded 504 assists.
Last season, the Mavericks faced off with the Marauders once, defeating them 3-0 at Taylor Center.
Scouting Minot State: Minot State is located in Minot, N.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Beavers are currently 1-16 on the season. Minot State is coached by Dana Cordova who is in her third year with the team.
As a team this season, Minot State is averaging 9.7 kills per set compared to its opponents 13.3. Additionally, the Beavers average 9.0 assists per set and 13.5 digs per frame.
Minot State is led on offense by Shelby Spuller who has recorded 182 kills on the season. Mackenzie Froehlich is the primary setter for the team and has 434 assists this season.
Last season, the Mavericks swept Minot State in their one match.
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return home for a pair of matches with Northern State and MSU Moorhead next weekend. Friday, at 6:00 p.m., the Mavericks will face off with the Wolves before taking on the Dragons Saturday, with first serve scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
