MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team (6-9, 1-6 NSIC) continues with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) play this week, returning home for homecoming and a pair of back-to-back matches against Bemidji State (Oct. 7) and Minnesota Crookston (Oct. 8). The Dragons hit the road for back-to-back NSIC matches after the home stand.
 
The Dragons are hitting .175 as a team this season so far, and holding their opponents to a .205 hitting percentage. Junior captain Carly Masloski has accumulated 165 kills to lead MSUM in that department, averaging 3.06 kills/set. Senior hitter Tyann Caspers has come on strong as of late averaging 2.50 kills/set over the last two matches.
 
There is No Place Like Home
After suffering a 3-0 loss to then ranked No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday (Oct. 1) on the road, MSUM is back at home for back-to-back NSIC matches against Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston. The Dragons face Bemidji State (5-10, 1-6 NSIC) on Friday evening, turning around Saturday for another NSIC matchup against Minnesota Crookston (6-9, 2-5 NSIC).
 
Scouting The Opposition
Bemidji State
The Beavers (5-10, 1-6 NSIC) are coming off a six-game losing streak, with the most recent loss coming against Upper Iowa. Bemidji State is currently tied for 13th in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. OH Jessica Yost leads the Beavers offense, averaging 3.71 kills/set ranking fifth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in kills per set. Defensively, OH Heather Fletcher leads the team with 0.98 blocks/set, and DS Emma Hallmann leads the squad with 3.05 digs/set. Sioux Falls finished tied for 12th in the NSIC a season ago with a record of 5-15.
 
Minnesota Crookston
The Golden Eagles (6-9, 2-5 NSIC) are coming off a two-game losing streak, with the most recent loss coming against then ranked No. 7 Winona State. Minnesota Crookston is currently tied for 11th in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. Maggie Perrel leads the way offensively for the Golden Eagles, averaging 3.25 kills/set. Ali Schueler and Kelci Green have been defensive staples for Minnesota Crookston. Schueler averages 3.59 digs/set, while Green averages 0.58 blocks/set. A season ago the Mustangs finished 15th in the NSIC with a 4-16 mark in conference play.
 
History Against Bemidji State
MSUM has played Bemidji State more times than any other school in the programs history. The Dragons have played the Beavers a total of 133 times with MSUM leading the all-time series 78-55. The teams last met during the 2015 season, when MSUM defeated BSU 3-0. OH Carly Masloski had seven kills and three blocks for the Dragons. Libero Monica Vega had 11 digs.
 
History Against Minnesota Crookston
The Dragons have played the Golden Eagles a total of 37 times. MSUM leads the all-time series with Minnesota Crookston 33-4. The teams last met during the 2015 season, when MSUM defeated Minnesota Crookston 3-2. OH Carly Masloski racked up 13 kills, and libero Monica Vega finished the match with 6 digs.
 
Freshman Contributors
Redshirt-freshman MB Sarah Hagler is the only freshman on the team that has started in every match, and played in every set this season. Hagler is averaging 2.33 kills/set, leads the team defensively and is 9th in the NSIC with 0.96 blocks/set. Redshirt-freshman Ellie Rutten is averaging 2.33 kills/set. Redshirt-freshman setter Makayla Wenzel leads the Dragons and is 9th in the NSIC with 9.74 assists/set.
 
All About the Balance
MSUM is at its best when its offense is balanced with multiple players putting down kills. On the season, MSUM has four players who are averaging at least 2.00 kills per set in Carly Masloski (3.06), Sarah Hagler (2.33), Ellie Rutten (2.33) and Taylor Liesemeyer (2.00).
 
Vega Keeps Digging
Sophomore libero Monica Vega has accumulated 303 digs through 15 total games this season. Vega is currently first in the NSIC in digs averaging 5.61 digs/set. She set a career-high in digs against Central Methodist University on Sept. 3 with 37. Vega was also awarded the NSIC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts during the opening week of play for the Dragons.
 
Up Next
MSUM hits the road for back-to-back NSIC matches. The Dragons battle St. Cloud State on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m., before playing No. 1 Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.