MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball (12-10, 7-7) face off against the Minot State Beavers (2-22, 1-13) and the UMary Marauders (7-17, 2-12) in Week 10. This marks the Mavericks' final homestand of the season. The Mavericks play the Beavers on Friday Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. and the Marauders on Saturday Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.

About the Mavericks
The Mavericks are currently 12-10 and with their two wins against Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State, the team is back to a .500 conference record, at 7-7. Minnesota State is currently eighth in the NSIC standings with four matches to play in the regular season. The top eight teams will qualify for the conference tournament first round, which begins November 14.

Minnesota State is the best blocking team in the NSIC, with the highest blocks per set average, at 2.47 blocks per set. In its match against Bemidji State, Minnesota State posted 17 blocks, the highest in four sets this season in the conference. The only other match this season where an NSIC team had more blocks was in a five-set match. Kiya Durant, Emily Kern and Sophie Tietz serve as a three-headed defensive monster for the Mavericks. All three rank in the top seven in the NSIC in blocks. Durant leads the way with 85 blocks; Kern has 83 and Tietz has 77. Kern, for her stellar performance against Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State last weekend, earned NSIC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Tietz also finds herself third in the conference in service aces with 37.

Along with service aces, Tietz also leads the Mavericks in kills with 195. Durant is second on the team in kills with 148. Toryn Richards has proven to be an all-around contributor with 136 kills, 12 assists, 11 aces and 122 digs this season. Brooke Bolwerk leads the squad in assists with 498. Ellie Kline is the Mavericks' digs leader with 314 and has contributed 22 aces on offense. Emma Loveall, like Richards, has been an important piece to this Mavericks team; the senior outside hitter has 128 kills, 21 service aces and 24 blocks this season.

About the Beavers
Minot State is 2-22, and 1-13 in conference play. The team has lost 13 straight matches and is currently ranked last in the NSIC. This is the second matchup of the season between Minot State and Minnesota State. The Mavericks won the first match 3-0 in late September.

Emily Kotelinikoff leads the Beavers in kills with 134. Jaina Macaulay has 379 assists and 132 digs this season. Kendal Braun leads the team in both digs and service aces, with 302 digs and 21 aces. Bailee Brommenschenkel has 47 blocks to lead the Beavers. Head coach Alex Lehocky is in her second year coaching the Beavers. The Mavericks are 12-1 all-time against Minot State, losing their last matchup against the Beavers in 2013.

About the Marauders
The University of Mary Marauders are 7-17 this season with a 2-12 conference record, ranking 13th in the NSIC. The Marauders' last victory was against Augustana at home. This is also the Mavericks' second time facing off against U-Mary. Minnesota State downed the Marauders earlier in the season, 3-0.

UMary is led offensively by Ally Gruber, who has 229 kills this season. Kameron Selvig has 664 assists. Maddie Cooper leads the team in aces and is second in blocks, with 22 and 62, respectively. Alexandria Harper leads the Marauders in blocks with 68. Kaia Sueker is team-leader in digs with 359. The Marauders are coached by former assistant coach, Abby Pollart. Pollart is in her third season as head coach for University of Mary. The Mavericks are undefeated all-time against the Marauders, winning all 21 previous matchups.