Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team wrapped up non-conference play Saturday with a pair of victories over Black Hills State and Northwest Missouri State. The Wolves head into conference play with a perfect 8-0 recorded defeating each of their opponents' three sets to none.
NSU opened the day against the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State who the Wolves defeated handily with set scores of 25-8, 25-14, and 25-10. Northern tallied 49 kills to a mere 15 for Black Hills, and hit .398 as a team.
Mandy Kurosky and
Cari McGarvie led NSU with 12 kills each, while the pair hit .407 and .474 respectively.
Kelsey Chambers tallied her second double-double of the season with a team second best ten kills and third best 11 digs.
Tori Biach and
Kellie Schmit added nine and six kills respectively, while Schmit led the team with a .750 attack percentage.
Renee Hoffman was a standout on defense for NSU, racking up a season high 15 digs. Hoffman was followed by
Annika van Oosbree with 12 digs of her own. The NSU backline held BHSU to a -.010 attack percentage and 15 kills, the lowest of any NSU opponent this season.
Amanda Tobin added nine digs to the teams 63 on the afternoon.
Drew Smith continued to hand the Wolves success with 44 assists in the win. Through seven matches of play Smith holds a 13.61 assists per set average.
Northern's potent offense continued in the night cap with a 3-0 victory over Northwest Missouri State. The Wolves stung the Bearcats with set scores of 25-11, 25-15, and 25-10. Improving upon the Black Hills match, Northern tallied a team attack percentage of .433 to the Bearcats .010 mark. The Wolves racked up 43 kills, 46 digs, and eight service aces in the win.
Chamber's success was back in match two as she tallied 16 kills and 15 digs for her second double-double of the night and third of the season. The senior hit .536 and led the team in kills, digs, and attack percentage. Smith was second on the team with 11 digs, and added 35 assists to her season total. Drew now averages 13.38 assists per set with a total of 321 on the year.
Hoffman stepped in for a season high five assists and added six digs in the win.
Kellie Schmit and
Cari McGarvie notched eight kills apiece, hitting .500 and .467 respectively.
Mandy Kurosky added seven kills to the team total hitting above .300 on the night.
Tori Biach led the team with three service aces and added three kills with no attack errors.
Northern looks to continue their success as they open the NSIC season this Thursday and Saturday. The Wolves travel to University of Mary for a 7 p.m. match-up with the Marauders Thursday. The Wolves open the 2015 home season Saturday against Minot State beginning at 4 p.m. from Wachs Arena.
