MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State volleyball (5-3) opens NSIC Conference play this week, facing off against the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State (7-1) and the Winona State Warriors (7-1). The Mavericks travel to Marshall to play the Mustangs on Thursday at 6 p.m. and the Warriors travel to Mankato for the Maverick's home opener Saturday at 2 p.m.
About the Mavericks: Minnesota State has won five of their first eight games, going 3-1 at the Tiger Classic in Hays, Kan. last weekend. The team swept their opponents 3-0 in three of their five wins this season.
An Ace Up Our Sleeve: The Mavericks are led offensively Sophie Tietz, who has recorded 82 kills. Her 18 aces so far this season rank second in the NSIC. Ellie Kline leads the team in digs with 118 and has 12 aces, ranking second on the team. The Mavericks are tied for the most aces in the conference with 65. Junior setter Brooke Bolwerk has 226 assists on the season, averaging over seven per set. Kiya Durant is also ranked sixth in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.357).
Block Party: Defensively, Minnesota State is led by a three-headed monster of Tietz, Durant and Emily Kern. Tietz and Durant each have 32 blocks and Kern has 34. Kern is tied for third for most blocks in the conference. Overall, the Mavericks have the second-most blocks in the conference with 77 as a team.
About the Mustangs: The No. 11 ranked Mustangs hold a 7-1 record to start their 2023 season. Southwest Minnesota State has not lost a set in their last six matches. Outside hitters Leah Jones and Brooklyn Kusler lead the Mustangs offensively with 82 and 81 kills, respectively. Kusler also leads the team in service aces (13) and hitting percentage (.319). The Mustangs are coached by second-year head coach, Tyler Boddy. Southwest Minnesota State has defeated Minnesota State nine times in its last 10 matchups going back to 2015. The Mustangs lead the all-time series against the Mavericks, 31-29.
About the Warriors: Winona State has also started their season 7-1, winning its first seven games of the season before losing to Purdue Northwest in five sets last Saturday. The Warriors are led by senior Sidney Paulson offensively, who has 121 kills on the season, ranking second in the NSIC. Sophomore Jaci Winchell leads the team in assists with 331, also ranking second in the conference. Rylee Vaughn has the third most digs in the NSIC with 150 already this season. Winona State is led by Joe Getzin, who is in his tenth year as head coach of the Warriors. Minnesota State leads the series 48-20, but Winona State has bested the Mavericks in each of its last four matchups.
