MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball team is headed on a NSIC road trip to face No.14 Minnesota Duluth (16-1, 9-0 NSIC) on Friday at 6 p.m. and Bemidji State (13-4, 5-4 NSIC) on Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
About the Mavericks
 
The Mavericks look to carry momentum into this weekend coming of a 2-1 record last week. MSU opened last week facing another top five opponent in Concordia-St. Paul. Minnesota State was competitive, but CSP proved why they are a top team in the nation and swept the Mavericks.
 
The Mavericks then returned back home to the Taylor Center where they faced Minnesota Crookston on Friday and MSU Moorhead on Saturday for Homecoming. MSU was in control for most of the match thanks to the help of Avery Klein who led the Mavericks in the match with 20 kills. MSU as a team hit .299 for the match and held the Golden Eagles to a .187 attacking percentage. Jadyn Lester was spreading out the offense making it difficult for Minnesota Crookston to get in a rhythm defensively. She totaled 41 assists in the match.
 
To lead the festivities of Homecoming, the Mavericks had a 12 p.m. first serve against the Dragons. MSU Moorhead was in control early as they took the first set against the Mavericks. After that, MSU never looked back. The Mavericks would go on to win the next three sets led by Avery Klein with help from Olivia Sturgis and Avery Rosenberg. Services aces from Morgan Bjella, Kyla Klein, and Lester helped propel the Mavericks to a victory.
 
About the Bulldogs
 
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Jim Boos. Jim is in his 25^th year as a head coach (all with the Bulldogs). He has a career record of 603-144 (.807). He has led No. 14 Minnesota Duluth to an impressive 16-1 record so far this season.
 
Minnesota Duluth primarily gets their kills from three key players. Senior right side hitter Madeline Guetzkow leads the Bulldogs with 214 kills. Senior middle blocker Paige Decker averages 3.18 kills per set while also putting up 40 blocks so far this season. Freshman outside hitter Kenzie Kiminski has 147 kills, putting up 3.06 per set.
 
The Bulldogs have the series lead against MSU 30-13. The last time the Mavericks and Bulldogs faced each other was in November 2025 when the Mavericks brought the brooms out and swept the Bulldogs.
 
About the Beavers
 
The Beavers are led by interim head coach Hahni Johnson. She has helped lead the Beavers to an overall 13-4 record. She is currently in her first season as a head coach.
 
The Beavers primary attackers are sophomore outside hitter Nevaeh Carlson and senior opposite hitter Ava Athman. The duo has combined for 431 kills so far this season. Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Isabella Vander Velden helps limit opposing attacks. She has a total of 47 blocks. Sophomore libero Ava Boelter is scrappy on the ball. She leads the Beavers in digs with 258 averaging 4.23 per set.
 
The Mavericks hold a dominating series lead 28-2 over the Beavers. The last time the two teams faced each other was November 2025 where the Mavericks swept Bemidji State at the Taylor Center.
 
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