Mankato, Minn. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team (11-8) will hit the road again after the Mavericks split last weekend at home. The Mavericks continue NSIC competition. Friday, as they take on #14 Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn., with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks wrap up the weekend with a match against the University of Sioux Falls Saturday with first serve slated for 4:00 p.m., in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks are coming off a weekend at home of NSIC action where they went 1-1. Junior Jessica Nelson led the team with 21 kills (2.63 K/S). Senior Dana Schindler led the team with 47 assists. Senior defensive specialist and libero Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 28 digs on the weekend. With these digs Mara Quam surpassed previous record holder, Haley Fogarty (2013-2016) as the Minnesota State all-time digs lead. Freshman Kiya Durant led the team with 11 blocks on the weekend.-

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is led on defense by senior defensive specialist Mara Quam who has recorded 321 digs (4.52/s) on the season. With these digs Quam is fifth in the NSIC. Junior outside hitter Mariah Edgington leads the way in kills with 189 (2.78/s) this season. Freshman middle blocker Kiya Durant has recorded 80.0 blocks (1.25/s). With the 80 blocks Durant is second in the NSIC  as a freshman.

Looking Back: The Mavericks recorded an 1-1 record this past weekend in their matches against Augustana and #5 Wayne State. Defeating Augustana 3-2 and dropping the match against #5 Wayne state 0-3.

By the Numbers: This past weekend the Mavericks recorded 79 kills (9.87/s). Additionally, Minnesota State added 76 assists (9.5/s) and 114 digs (14.25/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 852-672-8 (.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 11-8 record.

Scouting #14 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 15-4 in 2021 with an 7-4 conference record. Southwest Mnnesota State is coached by Terry Culhane who enters his 18th year with the team.

As a team in 2021, Southwest Minnesota State has averaged 13.7 kills per set compared to its opponents 10.2. Additionally, the Mustangs average 12.1 assists per set and 14.2 digs per set. 

Southwest Minnesota is led on offense by Angela Young who has recorded 276 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Alisa Bengen is the primary setter for the team and has 603 assists. Payton Hjerleid leads the Mustangs on defense with 279 digs on the 2021-22 season. 

Scouting Sioux Falls: University of Sioux Falls is located in Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Cougars are 12-7 with an 7-4 conference record on the 2021-22 season. Sioux Falls is led by head coach Dan Mathews who is currently in his 1st year with the team.

As a team in the 2021-22 season, the Cougars average 13.3 kills per set while their opponents notched 11.1. Sioux Falls has also averaged 12.4 assists per set and 10.3 digs per set. 

Avery Yaksich leads the Cougars offense with 303 kills on the 2021-22 season. Krista Goerger is the primary setter for Sioux Falls having recorded 714 assists. TiaRose Nagami has 234 digs so far in the 2021-22 season.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return to action as they have one road contest as they travel to St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday October, 28th as they will square off against #5 Concordia-St. Paul with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks will return home on Saturday October, 30th to face off against the Upper Iowa Peacocks at Taylor Center with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m.