MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota State Mavericks volleyball team (8–0) begins NSIC play this Friday, Sept. 19 facing University of Mary (3-5) at 6 p.m. before facing Minot State (1-7) on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. at the Taylor Center.

About the Mavericks
Minnesota State (RV) extended its flawless start to the season with a dominant showing at the Maverick Invite, finishing the weekend 4-0 to push its overall record to 8-0. The Mavericks rolled past Chadron State, Lake Superior State, and Upper Iowa in straight sets before capping the tournament with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Quincy (RV) inside the Taylor Center.

MSU leads the NSIC in service aces, recording 76 total and averaging an impressive 3.04 per set. Defensively, the Mavericks rank third in the league in digs, averaging 16.72 per set, showcasing the balance of this young squad.

Sophomore setter Jadyn Lester directed the Maverick offense with a career-high 44 assists against Quincy while also recording four blocks, moving her to the top of the NSIC in blocks among setters. Lester's weekend performance added her to the Maverick Invite All-Tournament Team. 

On the right side, sophomore Avery Klein delivered a career-best 26.5 points versus Quincy, highlighted by five blocks and four service aces. Her strong play earned her a spot on the Maverick Invite All-Tournament Team, and she now averages 4.12 points per set.

Junior Mary Satori sparked momentum against Lake Superior State with six service aces and 16 digs, while middle blocker Avery Rosenberg added 11 kills versus Upper Iowa, bringing her season total to 54.

Defensively, Ellie Kline continues to anchor the back row with 4.92 digs per set (110 total), ranking third in the NSIC. She was joined by defensive specialist Madisen Miller, who tallied 49 digs on the weekend, including a career-high 17 against Upper Iowa.

At the net, senior Emily Kern leads MSU with 20 total blocks, providing a steady presence in the middle.

In his fifth season at the helm, Head Coach Corey Phelps continues to guide a fast-rising program. Phelps, who holds a 50-57 career record (33-43 NSIC), now has his squad off to its best start yet. Following the team's undefeated weekend, Minnesota State earned 13 votes in the AVCA Division II Week Two poll, signaling growing national recognition and momentum toward cracking the top-25.

About the Marauders
The University of Mary enters conference play with a 3-5 record after competing in the Live First International Bank Homecoming Classic in Minot, N.D. last weekend. The Marauders went 2-2 at the tournament, sweeping Montana State University Billings and Brandon University in three sets before falling in competitive four-set matches to the University of Manitoba and Black Hills State.

Three Marauders earned All-Tournament Team honors for their performances. Junior Jenn Lansing led the way with 40 kills and 49 digs, averaging 2.5 kills and 3.06 digs per set. Dani Highum, a Lennox, SD native, posted 3.06 kills per set and 49 total digs while recording double-doubles in each match. Setter Natalie Boehmer directed the offense with 159 assists over the weekend and added 39 digs to her stat line.

As a team, UMary is averaging 11.9 kills, 10.9 assists, 1.8 aces, 14.3 digs, and 1.2 blocks per set this season.

The 2025 campaign marks the first season under Head Coach Rob Frost, who took over the program in February. Frost brings an accomplished resume with a career record of 243-82 across his coaching stops and is now working to build momentum with the Marauders.

Friday's match up will be the 24th meeting between UMary and Minnesota State. The Mavericks hold a commanding 21-1 series lead and enter the contest riding a 21 match win streak against the Marauders.

About the Beavers
Minot State heads into conference play with a 1-7 overall record, having dropped three straight matches. The Beavers picked up their lone win of the season at the Live First International Bank Homecoming Classic, defeating Montana State University Billings. They later fell in four sets to Brandon University, were swept by Black Hills State, and dropped a tight five-set match to the University of Manitoba.

Statistically, Minot State ranks last in the NSIC in several categories, averaging 8.89 assists, 10.32 kills, and 1.25 service aces per set.

Offensively, right side Paulina Kowalska and outside hitter Caton Percy share the team lead with 43 kills each. Defensively, middle blocker Mia Thompson has recorded three solo blocks and 15 block assists to pace the Beaver front line.

The Beavers are led by Head Coach Alex Courtney, who joined the program in April 2022. Courtney was named interim head coach in the middle of Oct. 2024 before officially taking over the role full-time at the end of the month. 

This weekend's match up will mark the 18th meeting between Minnesota State and Minot State. The Mavericks earned a 3-0 sweep in the most recent meeting in Oct. 2024 and currently hold a 15-match win streak over the Beavers. Overall, Minnesota State leads the all-time series 15-1.