MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team (9-5) will return home this weekend for a pair of NSIC matches.  Friday, at 6:00 p.m., the Mavericks will face off against the #24 Sioux Falls Cougars before taking on ninth ranked Southwest Minnesota State Saturday, with first serve scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks enter the week with a 9-5 (2-4 NSIC) overall record after dropping a pair of matches against #15 Wayne State and Augustana on the road last weekend.

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is being led on offense by senior outside hitter Morgan Olson who has recorded 188 kills (4.37/s) while adding 27 blocks.  Sophomore setter Dana Schindler leads the way in assists with 410 (9.11/s).  Seniors Ashton Lee and Anissa Janzig have recorded 36 and 35 blocks, respectively, on the defensive end.  

Scouting #24 Sioux Falls: Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Cougars are currently 11-3 on the season and ranked #19th in the nation. Sioux Falls is coached by Joel McCartney who is in his eighth year with the team.

As a team this season, Sioux Falls is averaging 13.5 kills per set compared to its opponents 11.1. Additionally, the Cougars average 11.8 assists per set and 14.7 digs per frame. 

Sioux Falls is led on offense by Kasandra Springer and Abby Feyereisen who have recorded 140 and 137 kills respectively.  Krista Georger is the primary setter for the team and has 466 assists this season. 

Last season, the Mavericks dropped both matches with the Cougars 3-1.  

Scouting #9 Southwest Minnesota State: Southwest Minnesota State is located in Marshall, Minn., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Mustangs are 11-3 this season with a 5-1 conference record.  Southwest Minnesota State is led by head coach Terry Culhane who is currently in his 16th year with the team.

As a team this season, the Mustangs average 15.1 kills per set while their opponents notch 11.6. Southwest Minnesota State has also averages 14.4 assists per set and 15.0 digs per set. 

Angela Young leads the Mustang offense with 204 kills and has recorded 129 digs on the season.  Alisa Bengen and Emma Thomssen share setting duties and have recorded 309 and 323 assists respectively.  Zoe Lier leads the way on defense and has recorded 48 blocks on the season.

Last season, the Mavericks played the Mustangs twice falling in both matches by scores of 3-1 and 3-0.   

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will take to the road for three matches next week, starting with a Tuesday matchup against Upper Iowa with first serve scheduled for 6:00 p.m.  Friday, the Mavericks take on the U-Mary Marauders at 6:00 p.m,. before wrapping up the weekend against the Minot State Beavers at 12:00 p.m.