MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 23-ranked Minnesota State volleyball team (16-3, 8-3 NSIC) opens the week on the road with a matchup against No. 11 St. Cloud State (14-5, 9-2 NSIC) at Halenbeck Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with first serve scheduled for 6 p.m. The Mavericks then return to the Taylor Center for a pair of home contests, beginning with Jamestown (9-9, 4-7 NSIC) on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., followed by a matchup against No. 22 Northern State (15-4, 7-4 NSIC) on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m.

About the Mavericks
The No. 23 ranked Minnesota State volleyball team continues its strong campaign, currently sitting fifth in the NSIC standings. The Mavericks climbed two spots in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll, moving from No. 25 to No. 23, marking their third straight week in the national rankings. Under the direction of Head Coach Corey Phelps, MSU's young squad continues to navigate the rigorous Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with resilience and consistency.

Last week, the Mavericks swept Winona State at home before falling to then-No. 10 Concordia St. Paul in three sets. Offensively, MSU has been one of the most efficient teams in the conference, averaging a .254 hitting percentage along with 12.56 assists, 13.87 kills, 2.03 blocks, 2.46 service aces, and 16.90 digs per set.

The offensive charge is led by Mary Satori and Avery Klein, who have combined for 369 kills this season. Setter Jadyn Lester continues to orchestrate the attack while also contributing from the service line where the Mavericks excel. Satori leads the NSIC in service aces per set (0.71), followed by Lester in second (0.70) and Klein in fifth (0.47).

On defense, libero Ellie Kline has totaled 326 digs this season. The senior was exceptional last week, collecting 19 digs against Winona State and another 17 against Concordia-St. Paul, all without a single receiving error.

In the middle, Emily Kern and Avery Rosenberg continue to make their presence felt, combining for 33 kills and 10 total blocks over the weekend, providing both offensive production and defensive stability at the net.

About the Huskies
The No. 11-ranked St. Cloud State Huskies are currently tied for third in the NSIC standings alongside Minnesota Duluth. Last week, the Huskies were swept in three sets at home by Concordia-St. Paul before bouncing back with a straight-set victory over Winona State on the road.

SCSU enters the week posting a .257 hitting percentage while averaging 13.66 assists, 14.97 kills, 1.73 blocks, 1.88 service aces, and 16.43 digs per set.

Redshirt senior Ella Thompson leads the Huskies' offensive charge with 215 kills this season, averaging 3.41 per set. The middle blocker also recorded seven total blocks in last week's matches against CSP and WSU.

Head coach Chad Braegelmann is in his 25th year as a collegiate head coach and his 11th season at the helm of St. Cloud State.

Minnesota State holds the edge in the all-time series, leading 33-27. The teams last met on Sept. 23 at the Taylor Center, where unranked MSU fell in four sets to then-No. 15 St. Cloud State.

About the Jimmies
The Jamestown Jimmies went unbeaten last week, earning four-set victories over both Minot State and the University of Mary. In their inaugural season as members of the NSIC, Head Coach Jon Hegerle has guided the Jimmies to a .500 conference record, placing them 10th in the league standings.

Within conference play, Jamestown holds a .178 hitting percentage while averaging 10.97 assists, 12.05 kills, 1.71 blocks, 1.58 service aces, and 15.50 digs per set.

Setters Lily Bertsch and Ava Bertsch lead the Jimmies' offensive rhythm, combining for 557 assists on the season. Ava Mueller, a native of Belgrade, Minn., headlines the attack with 160 total kills, along with 16 service aces and 20 blocks.

This matchup marks just the second meeting between the two programs and the first-ever at the Taylor Center. The teams last faced off on Sept. 27 in Jamestown, where MSU earned a four-set victory.

About the Wolves
Northern State currently sits sixth in the NSIC standings with a .789 conference winning percentage. Last week, the Wolves swept both the University of Mary at home and Minot State on the road. Head Coach Brent Aldridge is in his 15th season leading the program.

The Wolves boast a .292 hitting percentage while averaging 13.56 assists, 14.31 kills, 2.05 blocks, 1.63 service aces, and 15.83 digs per set.

Sophomore outside hitter Linnea Nesheim anchors the Northern State offense with 227 kills and 21 service aces this season. She tallied 135 total points and notched 13 kills in each of last week's matches.

The Mavericks and Wolves last met on Sept. 26 in Aberdeen, S.D., where Minnesota State claimed a straight-set sweep. The all-time series between the programs remains even at 18-18.