MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball (10-13, 8-7 NSIC) team faces one of its toughest stretches of the season this week. The Mavericks will take on No. 7 Concordia-St. Paul on Tuesday, followed by road matches at Augustana on Friday and No. 2 Wayne State on Saturday.
 
About the Mavericks
 
The Mavericks are coming off their second 2-0 weekend of the season. With five matches remaining in the regular season, the Mavericks are tied for 8th in the NSIC standings with Jamestown. The top eight teams in the final NSIC standings qualify for the conference tournament.
 
Minnesota State swept both of their matches las weekend, defeating Minot State and UMary in straight sets. They faced Minot State on Friday and took care of business. The following morning, they went up against UMary and dominated in straight sets. Olivia Sturgis led the charge for the Mavericks in both matches. She totaled team highs in kills (19), attack percentage (.563), and blocks (8), including two solo blocks. Jadyn Lester surpassed 2000 career assists in the win against Minot State. Avery Klein and Avery Rosenberg each had 17 kills, both averaging 2.83 kills per set.
 
About the Golden Bears
 
The reigning NCAA DII national runner-up, the Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears are led by head coach Brady Starkey. Coach Starkey is in his 24^th season with CSP. Under his tenure, Starkey has brought home nine national titles to the Golden Bears (2007-2013, 2016, 2017).
 
Offensively, the Golden Bears are led by junior outside hitter Makenna Nold. She leads the NSIC in kills with 366 this year. Nold is coming off of a career performance against Jamestown, where she tied the single match kill record with 34 kills. The Golden Bears have two junior setters Reagan Hickey and Audrey Waterman, who both have surpassed 500 assists.
 
Defensively, CSP is led by senior middle blocker Mehlayna Straub who has a team high 90 blocks. Makenna Nold and Kelsey Cooper add to that list with a combined 129 blocks. The Golden Bears have two liberos that help defend the back row in Marta Leeland and Abby Rolbiecki.
 
Concordia-St. Paul holds the series history 39-4. The last time the Mavericks and Golden Bears faced each other was earlier this season in St. Paul. The Golden Bears beat the Mavericks in straight sets.
 
About the Vikings
 
The Vikings are led by Head Coach Erika Bute. In her first season at Augustana, she has led the team to a 15-8 overall record and 9-6 NSIC record.
 
Offensively, the Vikings are led by senior setter Kiylah Franke. She has recorded 809 assists so far this season and ranks 12th in the nation with 11.75 assists per set. Senior outside hitter Raegan Jansen leads the Vikings in kills with 261. Senior middle blocker Maya Wente anchors the Viking defense. She has a team high 75 blocks.
 
The Vikings hold the all-time series record 35-19. The Mavericks and Vikings last played earlier this season. Augustana won the match in four sets.
 
About the Wildcats
 
The Wildcats are led by Head Coach Scott Kneifl. He is in his 22nd season with Wayne State and has a career record of 508-158 (.763).
 
Wayne State ranks fourth nationally in attacking percentage (.302), led by senior hitter Channatee Robles and sophomore hitter Delaney Miller. The Wildcat duo has combined for 536 kills. Junior setter Molly Romano orchestrates the offense for the Wildcats. Romano has accumulated 738 assists and ranks ninth nationally.
 
Wayne State is led by senior middle hitter Mia Berg and junior middle hitter Chloe Hanel. Berg and Hanel have combined for 176 of the teams' 290 blocks.
 
The Wildcats hold the all-time series record 24-13. The last time the Mavericks and Wildcats matched up was earlier this season. Wayne State wonthe match in straight sets.
 
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