Aberdeen, S.D. – The (RV) Northern State University volleyball team is set for an interesting week on the road against the University of Mary and Minnesota State. The Wolves will face UMary at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Bismarck, and Minnesota State at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Mankato.
 
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 split road week with an 11-3 record overall and 4-2 mark in the Northern Sun
• NSU sits fifth in the NSIC standings and is receiving votes in the AVCA poll
• Northern is hitting .208, averaging 12.3 kills, 11.4 assists, 17.9 digs, 1.6 aces, and 2.3 blocks per set
• The Wolves sit top-15 in the country in digs per set and opponent hitting percentage (.120)
• The lead the league defensively in total digs and digs per set
• Morissen Samuels leads the offense with 137 kills, averaging 2.69 per set, while Abby Brooks is hitting a team leading .368 through 14 matches
• Keri Walker paces the offense averaging 10.22 assists per set and leads the team with 20 service aces
• Abby Meister is a wall on the Wolves defense with 313 total digs, averaging 6.26 digs per set
• Brooks also leads the team at the net with 50.0 blocks in 2023, averaging just under one block per set

 
UNIVERSITY OF MARY STORYLINES

• The Marauders enter the week with a 4-10 record overall and 0-6 mark in the NSIC
• UMary is hitting .152, averaging 10.8 kills, 9.9 assists, 16.0 digs, 1.5 aces, and 2.1 blocks per set
• Ally Gruber leads the team with 131 kills, averaging 2.62 per set, followed by Nehkyah Ellis with 113, averaging 2.26 per set
• Kameron Slevig has dished out 374 total assists in 2023, averaging 7.63 per set
• The Mary defense is led by Kaia Sueker with 191 total digs, averaging 4.55 digs per set, and Maddie Cooper with 42.0 total blocks, averaging 0.88 blocks per set
• The Marauders are led by head coach Abby Pollart in her third season

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves tallied a 3-1 victory on the road in 2022
• Northern is 36-8 all-time against UMary and currently on a 21-match win streak

 
MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• Minnesota State holds a 7-7 record overall and 2-4 mark in the league heading into the week
• They Mavericks are hitting .204, averaging 11.7 kills, 10.9 assists, 13.6 digs, 1.5 aces, and 2.2 blocks per set
• Sophie Tietz leads the offense with 131 kills, averaging 2.57 per set, while Kiya Durant is hitting a team leading .370 with 106 kills
• Brooke Bolwerk holds a majority of the setting duties with 342 assists, averaging 6.71 assists per set
• Ellie Kline leads the MSU defense with 215 total digs, averaging 4.22 digs per set, while Durant and Emily Kern lead the team at the net with 50.0 and 49.0 blocks respectively
• Minnesota State is led by head coach Corey Phelps in his third season at the helm

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves recorded a 3-1 victory at home last season
• Northern is 17-16 all-time against Minnesota State with a 9-match win streak