Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University volleyball team closes out the regular season this weekend at home hosting Minnesota State and No. 14 Minnesota Duluth. Match start times are set for 6 p.m. on Friday against the Mavericks and 2 p.m. on Saturday versus the Bulldogs.  
 
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 final weekend of the regular season with a 17-8 record overall and 9-7 mark in the NSIC, sitting sixth in the league
• NSU is averaging 12.6 kills, 11.8 assists, 17.4 digs, 2.2 blocks, and 1.7 aces per set with a .213 attack percentage
• Northern is holding their opponents to a .158 attack percentage this season
• Natalia Szybinska leads the offense with 261 total kills, averaging 3.00 kills per set, followed by Hanna Thompson with 241 kills, averaging 2.68 per set
• Abby Brooks is hitting a team leading .353 this season and leads the Wolves in net defense with 89.0 blocks, averaging 0.98 per set
• Keri Walker is nearing 1000 season assists with 951 total, averaging 10.45 per set; she also leads the team with 43 aces in 2023
• Abby Meister leads the floor defense with 520 digs, averaging an NSIC leading 5.78 per set
• Following Meister is Reese Johnson with 221 total digs and a defense leading .943 serve receive percentage

 
MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• Minnesota State holds a 13-11 record overall and 8-8 mark in the Northern Sun, sitting eighth in the league standings
• MSU is hitting .210 this season, averaging 11.7 kills, 10.9 assists, 13.7 digs, 2.5 blocks, and 1.7 aces per set
• Sophie Tietz leads the offense with 222 kills, averaging 2.58 per set, while Kiya Durant is hitting a team leading .346 this season
• Brooke Bolwerk takes on a majority of the setting duties, notching 557 total assists, followed by Makayla Snow with 174
• Ellie Kline leads the floor defense with 360 digs, averaging 4.19 per set, while Durant and Emily Kern lead the team at the net with 93.0 and 92.0 blocks respectively this season
• The Mavericks are lead by head coach Corey Phelps in his third season at the helm and fifth overall

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves fell to the Mavericks 3-0 on the road earlier this season
• Northern is 17-17 all-time against Minnesota State

 
#14 MINNESOTA DULUTH STORYLINES

• Minnesota Duluth heads into the weekend with a 16-8 record overall and 9-7 mark in the league, sitting one spot behind NSU in the standings
• The Bulldogs are averaging 13.9 kills, 12.9 assists, 15.4 digs, 2.0 blocks, and 1.4 aces per set with a .231 attack percentage
• Cianna Selbitschka leads the UMD offense with 323 kills, averaging 3.76 per set, while Samantha Paulson is hitting a team best .301
• Madison Gordon paces the offense with 902 total assists, averaging 10.74 per set
• The defensive effort is led by Kaylyn Madison with 427 digs, averaging 4.97 per set, and Grace Daak with 78.0 blocks, averaging 0.95 per set
• The Bulldogs are led by head coach Jim Boos in his 22nd season

 
LAST MATCH-UP

• The Wolves defeated the Bulldogs 3-2 on the road in September
• Northern is 7-53 all-time against Minnesota Duluth