MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State volleyball team travels to No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul (10-3, 5-1 NSIC) on Tuesday, before returning home and playing matches on Friday vs Minnesota Crookston (3-11, 1-5 NSIC) at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday vs MSU Moorhead (10-5, 3-3 NSIC) at 12:00 p.m.
 
About the Mavericks
 
The Mavericks split their matches last week against No. 13 St. Cloud and Winona State. Against St. Cloud, MSU held the Huskies to a .100 attack percentage in the first set but still lost 11-25. In the second set, the Mavericks narrowly lost in a back-and-forth battle 27-25 in the closest set of the match. In the third set, the Mavericks weren't able to create a large run to comeback against the Huskies; they lost the set 11-25. Addison Foor led the Mavericks with seven kills. Jadyn Lester put up 21 assists in the match.
 
In the match against Winona State, the Mavericks were in the lead for a majority of the match. In the first set, the Mavericks hit .278 and beat the Warriors 20-25. In the second set, the Mavericks hit their best of the match with a .308. Foor, Avery Rosenberg and Avery Klein combined for 39 kills out of the Mavericks 43. In the third set, the Mavericks held the Warriors to a .140 attacking percentage while the Mavericks almost doubled that and had .271. MSU took the third set 25-20. Olivia Sturgis played a large role in shutting down the Warrior attack, by adding five blocks.
 
About the Golden Bears
 
The reigning national runner up, the No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears are led by head coach Brady Starkey. Coach Starkey is in his 24^th season with CSP and has an overall record of 710-103 (.873). Under his tenure, he 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 200 so far this season. Their next best four hitters all average around 2.50 kills per set as well, which shows how CSP can go to anybody at any time to get a kill. The Golden Bears have two junior setters Reagan Hickey and Audrey Waterman, who both have surpassed 300 assists.
 
On the other side of the net, CSP is led by senior middle blocker Mehlayna Straub who has a team high 52 blocks. Makenna Nold and Kelsey Cooper add to that list with a combined 85 blocks. The Golden Bears have two libero that help defend the back row in Marta Leeland and Abby Rolbiecki.
 
CSP holds the series history 38-4. The last time the Mavericks and Golden Bears faced each other was October 2025. The Golden Bears beat the Mavericks in straight sets.
 
About the Golden Eagles
 
Minnesota Crookston is led by head coach Kathleen Rustad. She is currently in her first season as a head coach. Senior outside hitter Madison Carsten leads the team in kills with 138. She is second in the NSIC in attacks per set with 10.11 which means they will rely on getting the ball to her as often as possible. Junior middle hitter Lexi Scharold is the primary blocker for the Golden Eagles. She leads the team with 29 blocks.
 
MSU holds the series history 24-5. The Mavericks and Golden Eagles last faced each other in November 2025. The Mavericks won in straight sets.
 
About the Dragons
 
The Dragons are led by head coach Kari Thompson. She is currently in her 13^th season as a head coach, her fourth with MSU-Moorhead. With the Dragons she holds a career record of 40-57 (.412).
 
The Dragons are led by senior outside hitters Raiah Mandell and Maci Martini. Mandell has 159 kills to lead the team, and Martini follows just behind her with 149. Junior middle blocker Leah Laqua leads the Dragons on defense with 49 total blocks so far this season.
 
The Mavericks hold the series history against the Dragons 24-5. The Mavericks and Dragons last faced each other in November 2025. The Mavericks beat the Dragons in four sets.
 
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