Mankato, Minn. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team (10-7) will remain home after a successful weekend at home as they continue NSIC competition. Friday the Mavericks take on Augustana at Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn., with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks wrap up the weekend with a match against #5 Wayne State at home with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks are coming off a weekend at home of NSIC action where they went 2-0. Sophomore Ellie Danielson led the team with 17 kills (2.83 K/S). Freshman Brooke Bolwerk led the team with 30 assists. Senior defensive specialist and libero Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 21 digs on the weekend. This puts her 28 digs away from taking the Minnesota State all-time digs lead. Freshman Kiya Durant led the team with 7 blocks on the weekend.-

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is led on defense by senior defensive specialist Mara Quam who has recorded 293 digs (4.65/s) on the season. With these digs Quam is third in the NSIC. Junior outside hitter Mariah Edgington leads the way in kills with 175 (2.92/s) this season.  Freshman middle blocker Kiya Durant has recorded 69.0 blocks (1.23/s). With 69 blocks Durant is the leader in the NSIC in blocks as a freshman.

Looking Back: The Mavericks recorded an 2-0 record this past weekend in their first weekend of back to back home stands in NSIC competition. Defeating Minnesota-Crookston and Bemidji State both in 3-0 sweeps.

By the Numbers: This past weekend the Mavericks recorded 72  kills (12/s). Additionally, Minnesota State  added 65 assists (10.8/s) and 76 digs (12.7/s). 

Minnesota State History: The 2021 season marks the 53rd season in Minnesota State volleyball history dating back to 1968. Over that span the Mavericks have compiled an all-time record of 851-671-8 (.556).

Walking the Sidelines: Head coach Corey Phelps enters his first official season after serving as the interim head coach in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 coach Phelps posted a 19-12 record. So far in 2021 coach Phelps has earned a 10-7 record.

Scouting Augustana University: Augustana is located in Sioux Falls, SD., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Vikings are 12-5 in 2021 with an 7-2 conference record. Augustana is coached by Jennifer Jacobs who enters her 5th year with the team.

As a team in 2021, Augustana has averaged 13.4 kills per set compared to its opponents 10.8. Additionally, the Vikings average 11.7 assists per set and 15.3 digs per set. 

Augustana is led on offense by Maddy Guetter who has recorded 202 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Avery Thorson is the primary setter for the team and has 610 assists. Erika Bute leads the Vikings on defense with 295 digs on the 2021-22 season. 

Scouting #5 Wayne State: Wayne State is located in Wayne, Neb., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Wildcats are 14-2 with an 8-1 conference record on the 2021-22 season. Wayne State is led by head coach Scott Kneifl who is currently in his 17th year with the team.

As a team in the 2021-22 season, the Wildcats average 13.3 kills per set while their opponents notched 10.9. Wayne State has also averaged 12.4 assists per set and 14.9 digs per set. 

Kelsie Cada leads the Wildcats offense with 175 kills on the 2021-22 season. Rachel Walker is the primary setter for Wayne State having recorded 544 assists. Alania Wolff has 169 digs so far in the 2021-22 season.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return to action as they hit the road once again as they travel to #10 Southwest Minnesota State Friday, October 22nd with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then, the Mavericks square off against Sioux Falls Saturday, October 23rd with first serve slated for 4:00 p.m.