Mankato, Minn. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team (11-10) will hit the road again after the Mavericks lost both contest on the road last weekend. The Mavericks continue NSIC competition. Thursday as they take on #5 Concordia-St. Paul in St. Paul, Minn., with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks return home for a Saturday afternoon match against the Upper Iowa Peacocks with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m., Mankato, Minn., at Taylor Center.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks are coming off a weekend on  the road of NSIC action where they went 0-2. Junior Jessica Nelson and sophomore Ellie Danielson led the team with 9 kills (1.50 K/S). Freshman Brooke Bolwerk led the team with 21 assists. Senior defensive specialist and libero Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 20 digs on the weekend. Freshman Kiya Durant led the team with 10 blocks on the weekend.-

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is led on defense by senior defensive specialist Mara Quam who has recorded 341 digs (4.43/s) on the season. With these digs Quam is fifth in the NSIC. Junior outside hitter Mariah Edgington leads the way in kills with 197 (2.66/s) this season. Freshman middle blocker Kiya Durant has recorded 80.0 blocks (1.25/s). With the 90 blocks Durant is first in the NSIC  as a freshman.

Looking Back: The Mavericks recorded an 0-2 record this past weekend in their matches against #14 Souhwest Minnesota State and the University of Siuox Falls. Losing both matches in a 3-0 sweep on the road.

By the Numbers: This past weekend the Mavericks recorded 49 kills (8.2/s). Additionally, Minnesota State added 43 assists (7.2/s) and 74 digs (12.3/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 852-674-8 (.555).

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 11-10 record.

Scouting #7 Concordia-St. Paul: Concordia-St. Paul is located in St. Paul, Minn., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Bears are 18-4 in 2021 with an 12-1 conference record. Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Brady Starkey who enters his 19th year with the team.

As a team in 2021, Concordia-St. Paul has averaged 13.8 kills per set compared to its opponents 11.5. Additionally, the Golden Bears average 12.9 assists per set and 14.8 digs per set. 

Concordia-St. Paul is led on offense by Jasmine Mulvihill who has recorded 277 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Ellie Veldman is the primary setter for the team and has 652 assists. Tori Hanson leads the Golden Bears on defense with 360 digs on the 2021-22 season. 

Scouting Upper Iowa: Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, Iowa., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Peacocks are 15-7 with an 8-5 conference record on the 2021-22 season. Upper Iowa is led by head coach Aaron Nelson who is currently in his 11th year with the team.

As a team in the 2021-22 season, the Peacocks average 13.4 kills per set while their opponents notched 11.4. Upper Iowahas also averaged 12.3 assists per set and 15.4 digs per set. 

Maggie Streightiff leads the Peacocks on offense with 206 kills on the 2021-22 season. Nicole Pozorski is the primary setter for the Peacocks having recorded 689 assists. Charisma Herr has 338 digs so far in the 2021-22 season.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return to action as they  travel to #10 Winona State in Winona, Minn., Wednsday November, 3rd as they square off against the Warriors with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks return home Friday November, 5th to take on MSU Moorhead at 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday November, 6th the Mavericks Host Northern State with first serve at 2:00 p.m.