THE MATCHES AT A GLANCE

Friday, September 27 (6 p.m.) vs. #4 Southwest Minnesota State (Marshall, Minn.)
Head Coach: Tyler Boddy
Live Stats: smsumustangs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Live Video: nsicnetwork.com/nsuwolves/
Tickets: gofan.co/event/1572647?schoolId=MN100471

Friday, September 28 (2 p.m.) at Augustana (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Head Coach: Jennifer Jacobs
Live Stats: goaugie.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Live Video: nsicnetwork.com/nsuwolves/
Tickets: vivenu.com/seller/augustana-university-385r
 
Game Notes: Northern State vs. Southwest Minn. St. / Augustana

#22 NORTHERN STATE STORYLINES

• The Wolves hit the road this weekend with a 9-1 record overall and 1-1 mark in the NSIC, moving up two spots in the AVCA Poll to No. 22
• Northern is hitting .257 this season, averaging 13.5 kills, 12.7 assists, 18.3 digs, 1.6 aces, and 2.6 blocks per set
• They are holding their opponents to a league leading .160 attack percentage
• Natalia Szybinska earned NSIC Player of the Week honors and leads the team with 129 kills, averaging a league second best 3.69 per set
• Abby Brooks is hitting a team best .331 this season, adding 75 kills and a team leading 44.0 blocks
• Keri Walker has 396 assists on the year, averaging 11.31 per set and sits second on the team with 13 aces behind Reese Johnson with 17
• The Wolves' defense is anchored by Abby Meister with 196 total digs, averaging 5.60 per set which ranks her second in the NSIC in both categories

 

#4 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE STORYLINES

• The Mustangs head into the weekend with an 11-0 record overall and 2-0 mark in the Northern Sun
• Southwest is hitting .238 and averaging 14.9 kills, 14.2 assists, 20.4 digs, 1.9 aces, and 2.1 blocks per set this season
• They lead the NSIC in kills per set, assists per set, total digs, and digs per set
• Saari Kuehl leads the team with 137 kills, averaging 3.61 per set, while Emma VanHeel is hitting a team leading .312
• Sydney Thein has dished out 443 assists, averaging 11.66 per set
• The defense is led by NSIC leader McKenzie Tolk with 220 total digs, averaging 5.79 per set
• VanHeel leads the team at the net with 39.0 blocks, followed by Karli Arkell with 31.0
• SMSU is led by head coach Tyler Boddy in his third season at the helm

 

THE WOLVES AND MUSTANGS HISTORY

• Southwest Minnesota State swept Northern State in 2023 NSIC action
• The Wolves are 11-62 all-time versus the Mustangs

 

AUGUSTANA STORYLINES

• Augustana holds a 6-5 record overall and 2-0 mark in the NSIC
• The Vikings are averaging 12.7 kills, 12.2 assists, 17.1 digs, 1.3 aces, and 2.6 blocks per set with a .204 attack percentage
• Reagan Jansen and Maya Wente lead the team with 129 and 125 kills respectively this season, with Wente hitting a team best .389
• Lucy Bartee has 439 total assists on the year, averaging 10.45 per set
• Gabby Jones and Sydney Tims lead the defense with 135 digs and 56.0 blocks respectively
• Augie is led by head coach Jennifer Jacobs in her eighth season

 

THE WOLVES AND VIKINGS HISTORY

• The Wolves recorded a 3-2 victory over the Vikings earlier this season
• Northern is 18-27 all-time against Augustana and has won the last three meetings