Aberdeen, S.D. – The No. 2 Northern State University volleyball team returns home this Friday and Saturday for a pair of NSIC matches versus Wayne State and Augustana. Start times are set for 6 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday from Wachs Arena.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves
• The Northern State volleyball team opened the week at No. 2 in the AVCA Top-25 Poll and earned a road sweep at MSU Moorhead on Tuesday.
• NSU is hitting a national leading .319 this season, averaging 14.5 kills, 13.7 assists, 16.9 digs, 1.7 aces, and 1.8 blocks per set.
• The Wolves have recorded 14 matches this season hitting above .300, with a season high mark of .556 versus UMary on Sept. 5.
• They have also recorded two matches with double figure blocks, and three with over 60 kills.
• Hailey Busch leads the team with 280 kills, averaging exactly 4.00 per set, while hitting .292.
• Jenna Reiff and Morgan Baufield led the team hitting .409 and .406 respectively, followed by Laura Snyder with a .371 mark.
• Ashley Rozell sits third nationally averaging 12.51 assists per set, with 876 total this season. She also leads the team with 41 service aces.
• Jaiden Langlie was named the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar weekend on the road where she averaged 6.56 digs per set with a career high 34 versus Upper Iowa. She currently leads the defense with 318 total digs.
• Reiff leads the team at the net with 60 blocks, averaging 0.86 per set.
• Northern not only leads the nation in hitting percentage, but also sits top-10 in assists per set, kills per set, and win loss percentage.
 
About Wayne State
• The Wildcats enter the weekend with a 16-5 record overall and 8-4 mark in the league, sitting fourth in the NSIC standings.
• WSC is currently on a 3-match win streak defeating Bemidji State, Crookston, and Augustana.
• Wayne State is hitting .233 this season, averaging 12.0 kills, 11.0 assists, 16.6 digs, 1.5 aces, and a league high 2.6 blocks per game.
• Katie Stephens leads the team with 195 kills, followed by Alyssa Ballenger with 182.
• Jaci Brhamer is hitting a team leading .327, as the only Wildcat above the 300 threshold.
• Megan Gebhardt has dished out 703 assists, averaging 9.76 per set.
• Haley Kauth leads the defense with 318 digs, averaging 4.42 per set, while Tarrin Beller leads the team and the NSIC with 93 blocks, averaging 1.29 per set.
• The Wildcats are led by head coach Scott Kneifl in his 14th season at the helm.
 
Last Match-up
• The Wolves defeated the Wildcats 3-2 on the road in 2017.
• Northern hit .229 in the match with 65 kills, 91 digs, eight blocks, and five assists.
• Hailey Busch led the team with 22 kills, while Jaiden Langlie recorded a team high 22 digs.
• NSU is 12-28 all-time against Wayne State, and 4-4 in the last five seasons.
 
About Augustana
• The Vikings enter the weekend with a 7-13 record overall and 2-10 mark in the NSIC.
• Augustana's two conference victories have come over Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State.
• AU is hitting .196 on the year, averaging 12.2 kills, 11.4 assists, 16.5 digs, 1.3 aces, and 1.5 blocks per set.
• Courtney Place leads the offense with 309 kills, averaging 4.29 per set, with a .226 hitting percentage.
• Avery Thorson has 696 assists on the year, averaging 9.67 per set.
• Kaylea Ahrens leads the defense with 305 digs, averaging 4.24 per set, while Abby Benson leads the team at the net with 53 total blocks.
• Place and Ahrens sit atop the team with 21 aces each on the year.
• Augustana is led by head coach Jennifer Jacobs in her second season with the program.
 
Last Match-up
• The Wolves defeated the Vikings 3-1 in non-conference play earlier this season.
• NSU hit .312 in the match with 64 kills, 64 digs, eight aces, and seven blocks.
• Hailey Busch led the team with 22 kills, while Jaiden Langlie tallied 19 digs.
• Ashley Rozell recorded 57 assists, averaging 14.25 per set.
• Northern is 11-23 all-time against Augustana.