Match Notes (.pdf) | Live Stats | Live Stream

The Northern State volleyball team opens NSIC play Thursday as the Wolves travel to Bismarck, N.D. to face the University of Mary in a 7 p.m. match.

The Marauders are 3-4 on the season and are coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Mount Olive Tournament in Mount Olive, N.C., last weekend. U-Mary is led by freshman outside hitter Alexis Jacobs who has 75 kills on the season. Sophomore middle blocker Paige Smith leads the Marauder defense with 26 total blocks this season.

Minot State comes to Wachs Arena for the Wolves' home opener Saturday for a 5 p.m. start. The Beavers are 4-5 on the young season and are led by a solid one-two punch at outside hitter as Mallory Sall and Jen Dixon lead MSU with 101 and 93 kills, respectively. Setter Emily Byrne leads Minot with 297 (9.58 per set) assists.

Northern State is off to its best start in program history at 7-0. The previous report of 8-0 being the school's best start was inaccurate. The Wolves are coming off a 3-0 weekend at the Maverick Invitational last weekend, picking up a sweep against Black Hills State and a pair of 3-1 victories over Illinois Springfield and host Minnesota State. The match against the Mavericks was not an NSIC match.

Outside hitter Kelsey Chambers was named the tournament's MVP. Chambers recorded 55 kills and hit .394 over the weekend. Setter Drew Smith joined Chambers on the all-tournament team as she led the Wolves with 139 assists (12.64 per set) in the three matches.

The Wolves are 1-1 in NSIC openers under head coach Brent Aldridge and are 0-2 in road conference openers. NSU has perfect 3-0 records against both Mary and Minot State during the Aldridge era.