MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team (8-11, 3-8 NSIC) continues with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play this week, returning home for a trio of matches against No. 13 Northern State (Oct. 18), Upper Iowa (Oct. 21) and No. 6 Winona State (Oct. 22). The Dragons hit the road again after the home stand for two NSIC matches.
 
There is No Place Like Home
After a straight set sweep loss to No. 1 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday (Oct. 15), MSUM is back in Moorhead for three NSIC matches this week against No. 13 Northern State, Upper Iowa and No. 6 Winona State. The Dragons face No. 13 Northern State (14-5, 7-4 NSIC) on Tuesday evening, turning around Friday and Saturday for two more NSIC matchups against Upper Iowa (9-11, 3-8 NSIC) and No. 6 Winona State (17-3, 8-3 NSIC).
 
Scouting the Opposition
Northern State
The Wolves (14-5, 7-4 NSIC) are 3-1 in their last four matches, with the most recent match resulting in a straight set sweep over St. Cloud State. Northern State is currently in sixth place in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. OH Holly Vancura leads the Huskies offense, averaging 3.22 kills/set with a total of 216 kills. Defensively, MH Tori Biach leads the team with 0.99 blocks/set, and LIB Jaiden Langlie leads the squad with 3.31 digs/set. Northern State finished tied for 2nd in the NSIC a season ago with a conference record of 17-3.
 
Upper Iowa
The Peacocks (9-11, 2-8 NSIC) are on a four-game losing streak, with the most recent loss coming in a straight set loss to Wayne State. Upper Iowa is currently tied for 10th in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. Alisha VanderWoude leads the way offensively for the Peacockss, averaging 2.23 kills/set. Ashley Larson and Bethany Lovhaug have been defensive staples for Upper Iowa. Larson averages 3.93 digs/set, while Lovhaug averages 0.69 blocks/set. Last season, the Peacocks finished tied for 10th in the NSIC with an 8-12 mark in conference play.
 
Winona State
The Warriors (17-3, 8-3 NSIC) are on a two-game win streak, and are 5-1 in their last six matches. Winona State's most recent win came against then ranked No. 6 Augustana, 3-2. The Warriors are currently 5th in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. Taylor Goar has had a big year averaging 3.82 kills/set. Defensively, Jamie Cairncross averages 5.14 digs/set and Lauren Kudronowicz is averaging 0.82 blocks/set. The Warriors finished sixth in the NSIC with a conference record of 12-8.
 
 
 
History Against Northern State
MSUM has played Northern State a total of 71 times with MSUM leading the all-time series 47-24. The teams last met earlier this season, when MSUM fell 0-3. RS Ellie Rutten had a team-high 11 kills for the Dragons. Setter Makayla Wenzel had 37 assists.
 
History Against Upper Iowa
The Dragons have played the Peacocks a total of 19 times, with MSUM winning the series 13-6. The last meeting between the two teams came in the 2015 season when the Dragons lost 2-3. OH Carly Masloski finished the match with 13 kills; DS Katie Meyers had one service ace and five digs.
 
History Against Winona State
MSUM has played Winona State a total of 96 times. The Dragons lead the all-time series 63-33. Winona State won the last meeting between the two teams during the 2015 campaign, 3-1. OH Carly Masloski had 11 kills, and LIB Monica Vega finished the match with 12 digs.
 
Tough Road Ahead
MSUM will face AVCA Top-25 teams in six of its final nine games of the season. Those teams include Northern State, Winona State, Concordia-St. Paul, Southwest Minnesota State, Wayne State and Augustana.
 
Success at Home
The Dragons only conference wins have come at home this season. MSUM holds a winning record of 3-2 over NSIC opponents in Nemzek Fieldhouse.
 
Masloski Managing the Offense
OH, and captain, Carly Masloski has double-digit kills in three of the last four matches while averaging a .241 hitting percentage. She has hit for double-digit kills in 12 games so far this season.
 
Vega Keeps Digging
Sophomore libero Monica Vega has accumulated 394 digs through 19 total games this season. Vega is currently first in the NSIC in digs averaging 5.63 digs/set. She set a career-high in digs against Minnesota Crookston on Oct. 8 with 44. Vega, a two-time NSIC Defensive Play of the Week selection, was awarded the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts two weekends ago. Vega averaged 7.20 digs/set in the two five-set wins, and totaled 72 digs in two wins against Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston.
 
Up Next
The Dragons take on No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul on Oct. 28. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.