MANKATO, Minn. – The Mavericks (5-5) host the No. 1 ranked Concordia-St. Paul Bears (10-1) on Thursday, September 21 at 6 p.m. at the Taylor Center. Then Minnesota State travels to Sioux Falls, S.D. to take on the Vikings of Augustana (3-6) on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Elmen Center.

About the Mavericks:
The Mavericks have started the year 5-5, losing their last three matches to Fort Hays State, No. 11 Southwest Minnesota State and Winona State. The team is led offensively by Sophie Tietz, who has 97 kills and 20 service aces this season. The senior rightside hitter ranks 14^th in kills and third in aces in the NSIC. Junior middle blocker Kiya Durant is a contributor on both offense and defense, recording 81 kills to go along with her 40 blocks, which rank third in the conference. Tietz and Emily Kern have also contributed defensively, recording 36 and 37 blocks respectively. Brooke Bolwerk has assisted on 269 points for the Mavericks, which ranks top 10 in the NSIC. Sophomore libero Ellie Kline has 167 digs on the season, including a career-high 32 against Winona State.

About the Bears:
The No. 1 ranked Bears have had a stellar start to their 2023 season. Concordia-St. Paul has only one loss on the season, to rival Wayne State last Friday. The Bears are led by senior Jasmine Mulvihill and junior Sophia Andersen on offense, who have 142 and 125 kills, respectively. Anderson has a hitting percentage of .347 this season. Teagan Starkey, a junior setter for the Bears, has 522 assists this season, which leads the nation. Defensively, Emma Schmidt and Ellie Sieling have 146 and 111 digs. Jamie Guptill and Katie Mattson have recorded 26 and 25 blocks in 2023. Concordia-St. Paul is coached by Brady Starkey, who is in his 21^st season as head coach. The Mavericks are 4-33 all-time against the Bears.

About the Vikings:
The Augustana Vikings have started their 2023 campaign 3-6. Augustana is led offensively by Kia Kriener, who has 123 kills, averaging 3.51 kills per set. Lucy Bartee has recorded 342 assists. The Vikings are led by Maya Wente, Callie Hohenhaus and Erika Bute. Wente and Hohenhaus have 31 and 23 blocks and Bute has 166 digs, ranking sixth in the NSIC. The Vikings are coached by seventh-year head coach, Jennifer Jacobs. Augustana holds the all-time series lead against Minnesota State, 39-31.