Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team opens the 2022 campaign this weekend at the Colorado School of Mines Tournament. Northern will face (RV) Colorado Mesa, No. 11 Colorado School of Mines, No. 19 Texas Tyler, and Western Colorado August 26 and 27 from Golden.  
 
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
                » Tickets are available on the tournament page or at the door on game day
                » Live video and stat links are available above or on the full schedule on nsuwolves.com
                » Matches may begin late, however the schedule will not run ahead
 
NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES
                » NSU posted an 18-11 mark in 2022, notching top-25 victories over No. 25 Rockhurst, No. 10 Winona State, No. 6 Southwest Minnesota State, and No. 10 Concordia-St. Paul
                » The Wolves finished the year fifth in the NSIC standings, holding a 13-7 league record
                » Three Wolves were named to the NSIC All-Conference teams, including first teamer and NSU player to watch Sally Gaul
                » The Wolves return 11 from a season ago and welcome seven freshman and incoming transfer this fall
                » Northern was picked fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll and his currently receiving votes in the AVCA Top-25 Poll
 
(RV) COLORADO MESA STORYLINES - AUGUST 26 @ 3:30 PM (CT)
                » The Mavericks went 21-7 overall a season ago and 15-3 in the RMAC
                » They advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament and ultimately fell to UT Tyler
                » Seven different Maverick returners have earned previous All-RMAC honors while three have been recognized on the regional or national basis
                » CMU also welcome four new players, including graduate transfer middle hitter and right side Erin Curl
                » Colorado Mesa is led by head coach Dave Fleming in his 18^th season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » Northern defeated Mesa, 3-0 from the Mines Tournament back in 2019, which is the only contest between the two programs
 
#11 COLORADO MINES STORYLINES - AUGUST 2 @ 7:30 PM (CT)
                » Mines went 26-4 and 16-2 in the RMAC a season ago, advancing to the NCAA Tournament
                » Drew Stokes leads the group of returners as the defending RMAC Setter of the Year
                » Other notable returners include AVCA Honorable Mention All-American libero Elle Duis, Second-Team All-RMAC outside hitter Rose Stuewe and fifth-year outside hitter Megan Neil
                » Colorado Mines is led by head coach Jamie Magalei in her 15^th season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » The Wolves defeated the Orediggers 3-1 back in 2019
                » Northern is 3-1 all-time against Colorado Mines
 
#19 UT TYLER STORYLINES - AUGUST 27 @ 1:30 PM (CT)
                » The Patriots went 20-4 overall and 15-2 in the Lone Star Conference a season ago, making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament
                »  UTT returns 2021 AVCA Honorable Mention All-American selection Mikayla Ware, and three All-Lone Star Conference selections in Savannah Guzman, Hannah Callison and Maiya Peña
                » UT Tyler is led by head coach Lyndsay Mashe in her seventh season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » This is the first meeting between the two programs
 
WESTERN COLORADO STORYLINES - AUGUST 27 @ 5:30 PM (CT)
                » WCU went 13-14 overall and 8-10 in the RMAC in 2021
                » They were picked ninth in the RMAC preseason poll after leading the league a season ago averaging 32.0 digs per set
                » The Mountaineers are led by head coach Eric Ballelos in his first season at the helm
 
LAST MATCH-UP
                » Northern defeated Western 3-0 back in 2014 and is the lone meeting between the two programs