Mankato, Minn. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team (12-14) will wrap up the 2021 campaign this weekend as they hit the road to take on Minot State in Minot, N.D. Friday, November 12th at 6 p.m., The Mavericks will then head south to the University of Mary to play the Marauders in Bismarck, S.D., in their final match with first serve set for 2:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks are coming off a weekend of NSIC action where they went 1-2 in their three contest. Junior Jessica Nelson led the team with 39 kills (3.55 K/S) and set a career high mark of 24 against Northern State last Saturday. Senior Dana Schindler led the team with 101 assists over the span of the weekend. Senior defensive specialist and libero Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 48 digs on the weekend and is fifth in the conference. Sophomore Ellie Danielson 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 421 digs (4.43/s) on the season. With these digs Quam is fifth in the NSIC. Junior outside hitter Jessica Nelson leads the way in kills with 205 (2.30/s) this season. Freshman middle blocker Kiya Durant has recorded 102.0 blocks (1.21/s). With the 102 blocks Durant is second in the NSIC  as a freshman.

Last Time They Met: The last time the Mavericks and the Beavers faced-off the Mavericks defeated the Beavers in a 3-0 sweep back on September 21st of this year at home. The last time the Mavericks took on the Marauders, the Mavericks defetaed them in a 3-0 sweep at home in Taylor Center on September 17th of this year.

Looking Back: The Mavericks recorded an 1-2 record this past weekend. The Mavericks fell to the Warriors of Winona State 1-3 last Wednesday on the road. The Mavericks would bounce back as they defeated the Dragons of MSU Moorhead Friday evening in a 3-0 sweep. The Mavericks closed out the weekend with a back and forth five set match against the Wolves of Northern Sate and fell 2-3.

By the Numbers: This past weekend the Mavericks recorded 130 kills (11.82/s) in the three matches. Additionally, Minnesota State added 115 assists (10.45/s) and 187 digs (17/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 853-678-8 (.554).

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 12-14 record.

Scouting Minot State: Minot State University is located in Minot, N.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Beavers are 1-23 in 2021 with an 1-17 conference record. Minot State is coached by Dana Cordova-Jacobson who enters her 5th year with the team.

As a team in 2021, Minot State has averaged 8.2 kills per set compared to its opponents 12.9. Additionally, the Beavers average 7.1 assists per set and 10.1 digs per set. 

Minot State is led on offense by Alexandra Koontz who has notched 150 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Sophia Peterson is the primary setter for the team and has 404 assists. Tea Boeckle leads the team on defense with 172 digs on the 2021-22 season. 

Scouting University of Mary: UMary is located in Bismarck S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Marauders are 6-21 with an 3-15 conference record on the 2021-22 season. University of Mary is led by head coach Abby Pollart who is currently in her 1st year with the team.

As a team in the 2021-22 season, the Marauders average 9.6 kills per set while their opponents notched 12.9. The University of Mary has also averaged 9.0 assists per set and 13.9 digs per set. 

Nehkyah leads the Marauders on offense with 214 kills on 746 attempts in the 2021-22 season. Kameron Selvig is the primary setter for the UMary having recorded 550 assists. Kaia Sueker has 373 digs so far in the 2021-22 season.