MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's volleyball team heads north to the Last Frontier this weekend to take part in four matches at the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic hosted by Alaska Fairbanks.
 
Sitting at 1-3 overall after navigating a stacked slate at the Ferris State Invitational, the Mavericks showed flashes of high execution highlighted by a 3-0 sweep over Purdue Northwest and will aim to translate those high points into consistent, full-match output.
 
About the Mavericks
 
The Minnesota State women's volleyball team travels to Fairbanks, Alaska, for the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic looking to gain momentum after an intense opening weekend. Entering the tournament with a 1-3 record following the Ferris State Invitational, the Mavericks showcased significant flashes of high-level potential. Highlighted by a dominant 3-0 sweep over Purdue Northwest, Minnesota State tested itself early against top-tier national competition, including matchups with No. 3 MSU Denver and No. 10 Ferris State.
 
Junior setter Jadyn Lester continues to operate as the engine of the Maverick offense. Lester registered 106 assists (8.15 assists per set) across 13 sets over opening weekend while adding 30 digs and five service aces. Her ability to direct the floor remains pivotal as Minnesota State looks to improve its overall hitting efficiency beyond its initial .186 mark.
 
At the net, senior middle blockers Avery Rosenberg and Olivia Sturgis have provided a strong 1-2 punch. Rosenberg leads the roster with 33 kills while attacking at an efficient .333 clip. Sturgis has proven equally effective, contributing 26 kills on a team-leading .380 hitting percentage along with eight blocks. Junior outside hitter Lily Riese (25 kills, 29 digs) and redshirt freshman defensive specialist Savannah Meyer (team-high 32 digs) round out a balanced rotation that aims to establish control from the endline and tighten up serve reception.
 
About Alaska Fairbanks
 
Host school No. 16 Alaska Fairbanks (6-1), a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), welcomes the tournament field to the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium, bringing a scrappy defensive mindset and physical front-row play. The Nanooks rely on transition defense and aggressive serving to unsettle opponents on their home floor.  The primary attacker for the Nanooks is Cori Leavitt. Across Fairbanks' first seven matches, she has collected a team-high 50 kills and 25 blocks.
 
Alaska Fairbanks is led by Brian Scott has a career record 146-150 with the Nanooks. The last time the Mavericks faced the Nanooks, the Mavs defeated them in three sets in September 2011.
 
About Fresno Pacific
 
No. 9 Fresno Pacific (3-0), part of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, will be the team to beat over the weekend. The Sunbirds are the only team entering the classes with an undefeated record as well as the highest ranking according to the AVCA poll. Sophomore outside hitter Madelyn Feramisco dominates the pins for the Sunbirds. Over the course of three matches, she has tallied 38 kills on a .330 clip. Senior setter Mikayla Weiss orchestrates the Sunbirds' offense with high level decision making. A high-IQ playmaker on the floor, Weiss has already compiled 100 assists and 14 kills on the season.
 
The Sunbirds are led by head coach Kelsee Montagna who has started her third season with Fresno State. She has a career record 48-12 with the Sunbirds.
 
This contest marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs.
 
About Alaska Anchorage
 
The University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (5-2) enter the Fairbanks tournament field as a dangerous Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) contender. Built around relentless back-row defense and balanced multi-pin scoring, the Seawolves present a challenge that requires patience and discipline from opposing block units.
 
Frontcourt anchor Emma Beck leads the front row after powering Seawolves to an NCAA Tournament berth, delivering 2.18 kills and 0.78 blocks per set while hitting .224. Supported by dynamic transfers like outside hitter Kyana Gabriel, Anchorage relies on sustained transition defense and pin execution to wear teams down over extended rallies.
 
First year head coach Morgan Hooe has led the Sealions to a 5-2 overall record. The last time the Mavericks faced the Sealions was in August 2012. The Mavs won the match in four sets.
 
About Tiffin
 
Tiffin (0-4) is from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the Tiffin Dragons bring a physical, regional-crossover style of play into the Alaska road trip. The Dragons feature a gritty, defensive-minded lineup that excels at extending plays and capitalizing on opponent unforced errors. The Dragons feature a lethal three headed monster on offense. Four matches into the season, Amber Czerniak, Jada Shade, and Katelyn Owens have all shared very similar statistics.
 
Tiffin is led by head coach Cary Clark. In his second season with Tiffin, he has led the Dragons to a 11-17 record. The Mavericks have played Tiffin once before in September 2019. Minnesota State won the match in three sets.
Minnesota State will open the Ice Block Classic with their first match against No. 9 Fresno Pacific Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT at the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium in Fairbanks, Alaska.
 
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