MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball team will play two matches this weekend against Sioux Falls (4-6, 0-2 NSIC) on Friday at 6 p.m. and No. 14 Southwest Minnesota State (7-2, 1-1 NSIC) on Saturday at 2 p.m.
 
"Sioux Falls and SMSU are teams that we have battled with in recent years with varied success," Head Coach Corey Phelps said. "Sweeping USF in the regular season and losing in a five-set thriller in the first round of the conference playoffs last season led me to believe that this weekend will be another hard-fought match from start to finish this weekend.  They were pre-season ranked one spot above us, so we expect their best effort. SMSU is a perennial power in our league, and they're consistently ranked top-25 in the nation.  The last two seasons we were able to come away with five-set wins and they were nationally ranked (12th and 10th respectively) both years.  It's been 12 years since we beat them at their place, which makes this Saturday's match that much more challenging.  With that being said, we are better prepared after a challenging preseason schedule to step up in big moments than we've been in the past.  We're excited to see how we match up with two great teams."
 
About the Mavericks
 
Minnesota State looks to bounce back into the winner's column after losing their previous two matches against Wayne State and Augustana. The Mavericks are 2-8 overall and 0-2 in NSIC play.
 
Looking back at this week, the Mavericks had a difficult time with the No. 2 team in the nation Wayne State, as that match ended in straight sets. The following day, Minnesota State matched up against Augustana, where the Mavericks gained early momentum by taking the first set. However, the momentum didn't last for long as Augustana won a tightly contested second set 25-23. Augustana would win the two set after that to win the match in four.
 
The Maverick offense was spread out over last week. Avery Klein, Avery Rosenberg, Olivia Sturgis, Addison Foor, and Lily Riese all reached double digits in kills over the course of the two matches. Junior setter Jadyn Lester stayed busy in the front row accumulating 65 assists, which now brings her total up to six consecutive matches with 30 or more assists. Lester is also third in the NSIC in aces per set with 0.56 per set.  
 
On defense, Savannah Meyer continues to emerge as a star in the back row. She led the Mavericks in digs with 33.
 
About the Cougars
 
The Cougars are led by head coach Dan Matthews. The Cougars in their matches last week went 0-2 to open their conference play against Winona St, who they lost to in straight sets, and Concordia St. Paul, who they lost to in four sets. Freshman outside hitter Bre Van Den Top alongside senior outside hitter Aubrey Gates led the Cougars in kills.
 
On defense, USF leads the NSIC in blocks per set with 2.38. Junior middle blocker Ella Walker and senior middle blocker Haley Wolfe play significant roles in the success of the Cougar defense.
 
The Cougars hold the series record against the Mavericks 11-7. The last time they met was in November 2025 where Sioux Falls beat the Mavericks in a five-set thriller in the opening round of the NSIC tournament.
 
About the Mustangs
 
The No. 14 Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs are led by head coach Tyler Boddy. The Mustangs split their pair of matches last week beating Winona State in four sets and losing to No. 5 Concordia St Paul in four sets.
 
The Mustang offense primarily comes from senior hitters Mya Krystosek, Leah Jones, and sophomore hitter Mollie Rupp. The three combined for more than half of the Mustang kills across the two matches last week. The Mustangs rank first in the nation in assists per set with 14. They also rank fourth in the nation in kills per set with 14.83.
 
On defense, freshman middle blocker Lindsay Kruse has made her presence across the net felt so far this season. She had three solo blocks and six block assists giving her a total of nine in the two matches.
 
The Mustangs hold the series record against the Mavericks 28-15. The last time the teams met was in October 2025 where the Mavericks won a thriller in five.
 
The Mavericks will face Sioux Falls on Friday at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. at the Stewart Center. On Saturday at 2 p.m. the Mavericks will match up against Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall, Minn. at PE Gym.
 
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