MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball team is set to host the opening round of the NSIC Tournament for the first time in program history on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Taylor Center. The No. 23 Mavericks enter as the tournament's fourth seed and will face fifth-seeded Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. The match will be streamed live on the NSIC Network.
About the Mavericks
Minnesota State enters this week with a 23-5 overall record and a 15-5 mark in NSIC play. The performance marks the best season of the Corey Phelps era and the program's first 20-plus win campaign since 2011. The Mavericks have been consistent on both sides of the ball throughout the year and continue to position themselves well heading into postseason play.
MSU is currently on a six-match win streak after picking up two more victories on the road last weekend. The Mavericks earned a four-set win at MSU Moorhead on Friday, Nov. 14, and followed with a three-set sweep at Minnesota Crookston on Saturday, Nov. 15. The sweep against the Golden Eagles tied the program's single-season record with 18.
Over the course of the regular season, Minnesota State averaged a .254 hitting percentage, 12.50 assists, 13.89 kills, 2.01 blocks, 2.47 service aces, and 16.98 digs per set.
Several players contributed to the strong weekend. Setter Jadyn Lester reached a career-high 1,016 assists in the win at Minnesota Crookston and remains sixth in the NSIC with 11.04 assists per set. She added five service aces across the two matches, bringing her season total to a conference-leading 60, and hit .429 with three kills against the Golden Eagles.
Outside hitter Avery Klein posted a .607 hitting percentage with 17 kills and zero errors against Minnesota Crookston and recorded 20 total digs on the weekend. She also tallied 12 kills against MSU Moorhead. Klein ranks 11th in the NSIC in points per set (3.75) and leads MSU with 279 kills on the year.
Middle blockers Emily Kern and Avery Rosenberg also turned in efficient performances. Both hit over .400 against Minnesota Crookston, combining for 10 kills. Kern added 14 kills and three blocks at MSU Moorhead, while Rosenberg finished with nine kills against the Dragons.
The NSIC libero of the year, Ellie Klein anchored the back row with 20 digs and two service aces in the match against Minnesota Crookston, continuing her steady defensive presence.
About the Cougars
Sioux Falls enters the postseason with a 19-9 overall record and a 14-6 mark in NSIC play. The Cougars carried strong momentum into the week, riding a nine-match win streak and completing an undefeated month of November that included ranked wins over then-No. 21 Minnesota Duluth and then-No. 22 Northern State. They closed the regular season with home sweeps of Minot State and UMary, and have posted a 7-5 record on the road this year. The program is led by head coach Dan Mathews, who is in his fifth season at the helm.
In conference play, the Cougars have been one of the more efficient offensive teams in the NSIC. They carry a .283 hitting percentage while averaging 12.66 assists, 13.53 kills, 2.17 blocks, 1.68 service aces, and 13.85 digs per set.
Several key players have fueled their success. Outside hitter Sadie Voss leads the team with 339 kills, averaging 3.36 per set, and ranks second on the roster with 25 service aces. She also contributes 2.85 digs and 0.30 blocks per set. Courtney Holsteen, who has appeared in every set this season, adds 2.16 kills per set.
In the back row, Maci Lerseth anchors the defense with 3.48 digs per set and 324 total digs to lead the team, while posting a .961 receive percentage. She ranks 11th in the NSIC in digs per set.
The teams last met on Oct. 3, when Minnesota State earned a straight-set win. Minnesota State's middle blockers Kern and Rosenberg led the way at the net, combining for eight blocks and 17 kills in the match. MSU's serving also played a major role, as the Mavericks recorded 11 aces across the three sets. Each set was competitive, with the Mavericks winning by margins of eight, three, and eight.
Historically, Sioux Falls holds a 10-7 edge in the all-time series, while Minnesota State is 4-5 against the Cougars in home matches. The Mavericks' win earlier this season also marked an important shift in the matchup, ending a five-match SFU winning streak.
