Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team opens a 4-game road trip this Friday and Saturday at No. 6 Wayne State and Augustana. First serve is set for 6 p.m. on Friday versus the Wildcats and 5 p.m. on Saturday against the Vikings.
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
                » Live video and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES
                » The Wolves enter the road weekend with a 10-5 record overall, going 1-1 versus Sioux Falls and No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State last Friday and Saturday       
                » The win over the Mustangs was just the second for the Northern State program in the Brent Aldridge-era
                » NSU is hitting .231 on the year, averaging 13.6 kills, 12.7 assists, 15.5 digs, 1.3 aces, and 2.2 blocks per set
                » Sally Gaul leads the team with 216 total kills, averaging 3.72 per set, while Peyton Ellingson is hitting a team best .378 in 2021
                » Keri Walker has 634 assists thus far, averaging 11.32 per set, and leads the team with 22 service aces
                » Havyn Heinz is the leader for the Wolves defensive with 222 total digs, averaging 4.19 per set in the libero spot
                » At the net, Olivia Rud has 66.0 total blocks on the year, averaging 1.14 per set
                » In league competition, the Wolves sit top-5 in the NSIC in total assists, total kills, total blocks, blocks per set, total digs, and digs per set
 
#6 WAYNE STATE COLLEGE STORYLINES
                » The Wildcats hold a 12-2 record overall and 6-1 mark in the NSIC
                » WSC is hitting .271, averaging 13.0 kills, 12.1 assists, 14.3 digs, 1.6 aces, and 1.9 blocks per set this season
                » Kelsie Cada leads the offense with 152 total kills, averaging 3.30 per set
                » Maggie Brahmer is hitting a team high .460 this season, adding 107 kills
                » Rachel Walker serves up the Wayne State offense, recording 462 total assists, averaging 10.04 per set and leads the team with 15 aces
                » Alaina Wolff leads three Wildcats with over 100 digs on the year, notching 140 total, averaging 3.04 per set
                » Taya Beller is the leader at the net for WSC, grabbing 42.0 total blocks in 46 sets played
                » Wayne State is led by head coach Scott Kneifl in his 17th season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » The Wolves tallied two victories over the Wildcats in 2019, 3-0 and 3-1
 
AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY STORYLINES
                » The Vikings return to Sioux Falls with a 10-5 record overall and 5-2 mark in the NSIC
                » Augustana is hitting .218 as a team, averaging 13.3 kills, 11.6 assists, 15.5 digs, 1.3 aces, and 2.5 blocks per set this season
                » Maddy Guetter leads the offense with 160 kills, averaging 3.33 per set
                » Avery Thorson is a dual threat for AU with 528 total assists and 82 kills
                » Erika Bute leads the defensive effort with 266 total digs, averaging 4.84 digs per set in 2021
                » The net defense is led by Callie Hohenhaus and Jolie Stecher with 61.0 and 58.0 blocks respectively
                » The Vikings are led by head coach Jennifer Jacobs in her fifth season with the program
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » Northern swept Augustana in non-conference action earlier this season
                » Natalia Szybinska led the team with 14 kills, as the Wolves hit .286 in the match