Mankato, Minn. ---The Minnesota State volleyball team (7-3) will return be home to continue NSIC conference play after a weekend home stand against the University of Mary and Minot State. The Mavericks will kick off the week on Tuesday evening as the Mavericks will host the #10 Winona State with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then the Mavericks hit the road for the first time in conference play to face Northern State on Friday with first serve at 6:00 p.m., and MSU Moorhead Saturday with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m.

Mavericks at a Glance: The Mavericks are coming off the first  weekend of NSIC competition where they went 2-0. Junior Mariah Edgington led the team with 21 kills (3.50 K/S). Senior Dana Schindler led the team with 38 assists. Senior defensive specialist and libero Mara Quam led the Mavericks with 36 digs on the weekend. Freshman Kiya Durant led the team with 6 blocks on the weekend.-

Impact Mavericks: Minnesota State is led on defense by senior defensive specialist Mara Quam who has recorded 198 digs (4.83/s) on the season. Quam is currently 3rd all time in career digs with 1,619 at Minnesota State is now just five kills from moving into second all time. Junior outside hitter Mariah Edgington leads the way in kills with 111 (2.92/s) and accounted for 44 points (2.58/s) this past weekend.  Freshman middle blocker Kiya Durant has recorded 42.0 blocks (1.20/s)

Returning Roster: The Mavericks return 9 letter winners from the 2019 season, including four seniors: Jane Sakowicz, Dana Schindler, Mara Quam and Micayla Porter.

New Faces: Minnesota State will have four new faces on the roster for the 2021 campaign with the addition of four freshman: Toryn Richards (Cleveland, Minn.), Abigail Wolfe (Elkhorn, Neb.), Kiya Durant (Plymouth, Minn.), and Brooke Bolwerk (Appleton, Wis.)

Looking Back: The Mavericks recorded an 2-0 record this past weekend in their first action of the year in the NSIC.

By the Numbers: This past weekend the Mavericks recorded 91 kills (15.17/s). Additionally, Minnesota State  added 86 assists (14.33/s)  and 124 digs (20.67/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 848-667-8 (.559).

Preseason Outlook: The Mavericks were picked to finish ninth out of 16 teams in the 2021 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll. Concordia-St. Paul was tabbed to finish first, Minnesota Duluth was slotted second, and St. Cloud State rounded out the top three. 

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 18-10 record. So far in 2021 coach Phelps has earned a 7-3 record.

Scouting #10 Winona State: Winona State is located in Winona, Minn.,  and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Warriors are 9-1 in 2021 with an 1-1 conference record. Winona State is coached by Joe Getzin who is in his eighth year with the team.

As a team in 2021, Winona State has averaged 13.7 kills per set compared to its opponents 11.5. Additionally, the Warriors average 12.6 assists per set and 15.6 digs per set. 

Winona State is led on offense by Megan Flom who has recorded 138 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Bre Maloney is the primary setter for the team and has 358 assists. Becca Pagel leads the Warriors on defense with 182 digs on the 2021-22 season. 

Scouting Northern State:  Northern State is located in Aberdeen, S.D., and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Wolves are 7-3 with an 2-0 conference record on the 2021-22 season. Northern State  is led by head coach Brent Aldrige who is currently in his 11th year with the team.

As a team in the 2021-22 season, the Wolves average 14.0 kills per set while their opponents notched 12.8. Northern State has also averaged 13.1 assists per set and 15.0 digs per set. 

Sally Gaul leads the Wolves offense with 142 kills on the 2021-22 season. Keri Walker is the primary setter for Northern State having recorded 407 assists. Havyn Heinz has 162 digs so far in the 2021-22 season.

Scouting MSU Moorhead: MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minn.,  and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Dragons are 0-10 in 2021 with an 0-2 conference record. MSU Moorhead is coached by Bob Jones who is in his second year with the team.

As a team in 2021, MSU Moorhead has averaged 9.6 kills per set compared to its opponents 14.5. Additionally, the Dragon average 9.0 assists per set and 15.8 digs per set. 


MSU Moorhead is led on offense by Amanda Carlson who has recorded 121 kills so far in 2021-22 season. Halle Erickson is the primary setter for the team and has 132 assists. Sarah Petrbok leads the Dragons on defense with 170 digs on the 2021-22 season. 


Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will return to action when they hit the road for the second consecutive weekend as they take on Minnesota Duluth Friday, October 1st with first serve at 6:00 p.m., Then, the Mavericks square off against St. Cloud State Saturday, October 2nd with first serve slated for 2:00 p.m.

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