MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State volleyball team started its season at the Otter Volleyball Invitational, going 2-2 at the tournament. This week, the team travels to Hays, Kansas to take on Cameron University, Southern Nazarene, New Mexico Highlands and Fort Hays State in the Tiger Classic. The Mavericks face Cameron University and Southern Nazarene on Friday, Sep. 8 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively. Then, the team bounces back to match up against New Mexico Highlands and Fort Hays State the next day, Saturday, Sep. 9 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The matches will be streamed live on the MIAA Network.
About the Mavericks: The Mavericks lost their first match to Northwest Nazarene, taking the Nighthawks to five sets. Elizabeth Dille and Sophie Tietz led the way offensively for the Mavericks, racking up 18 and 17 kills respectively. Tietz also had four blocks. The Mavericks then faced the Warriors from Westmont College, where they lost 3-1. Brooke Bolwerk led the team in digs with 12. In their third matchup against the Otters, Minnesota State emerged victorious, beating California State Monterey Bay in five sets. Dille led the way in kills with 16. Tietz and Kiya Durant each recorded 14 kills. Bolwerk had a match-high 53 assists and Ellie Kline had 22 digs. In the final match of the tournament, the Mavericks defeated Dominican in three sets. Durant led Minnesota State in kills with 10. Tietz led the team in both aces and blocks, with 3 and 4 respectively, and Bolwerk assisted on 37 points.
About the Aggies: The Aggies of Cameron University started their season 1-3. The team is led by senior Caitlyn Henderson, who has 35 kills and 19 blocks on the season. Senior Meagan Jimenez collected 86 digs through the opening weekend and freshman Emily Keohen leads the team in both assists and service aces to start the season, with 73 assists and 8 aces. The Aggies are coached by Nathan Martell (second season) and held a record of 5-26 in 2022. This is the first matchup between Minnesota State and Cameron.
About the Crimson Storm: Southern Nazarene began their 2023 campaign with a record of 4-1. The Storm are led offensively by sophomore outside hitter, Sunn Batschelett, who leads the team in kills with 73 and blocks with 20. Senior defensive specialist Madeline Lynch leads the Storm in aces with 13 and digs with 97. Southern Nazarene is coached by Kevin Ingram, who starts his 23rd season at the helm of the Crimson Storm team in 2023. The matchup between the Mavericks and the Storm Friday is the first ever between the two teams.
About the Cowgirls: The New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls started their season 1-3. Freshman Seraiah Morgan leads the team in kills with 33 and is tied for first in service aces with fellow freshman Ashleigh Meyer. Both have five aces. Sophomore Abby Carlsen leads the team in digs with 51. Tom Duke is the third-year head coach for New Mexico Highlands, going 18-37 through his first two seasons. This will mark the first matchup between Minnesota State and New Mexico Highlands.
About the Tigers: The Fort Hays State Tigers also started their season 1-3. The Tigers are led by senior Riley Tinder and sophomore Gracie Rains offensively, who have 44 and 41 kills respectively. Graduate middle blocker Emily Ellis leads the team in blocks with 15 and sophomore Caiya Stucky leads the team in assists with 142. The Mavericks are 2-1 all-time against Fort Hays State, winning their last two matchups against the Tigers, both in 2006.
