MOORHEAD, Minn. - The Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball team (10-16, 5-13 NSIC) finishes Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and regular season play, this week taking to the road for the final time this season as they take on No. 8 Wayne State (Nov. 11) and No. 7 Augustana (Nov. 12).
On the Road Again
After dropping a match 3-1 to No. 4 Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday (Nov. 5), MSUM hits the highway for its final two NSIC matches this week against No. 8 Wayne State and No. 7 Augustana. The Dragons face Wayne State (21-6, 12-6 NSIC) on Friday night, turning around Saturday for another NSIC matchup against Augustana (24-4, 15-3 NSIC).
Scouting the Opposition...
Wayne State
The Wildcats (21-6, 12-6 NSIC) are riding a five-game win streak, with the most recent match resulting in a 3-1 win over U-Mary. Wayne State is currently in sixth place in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. MH Alyssa Frauendorfer leads the Wildcats offense, averaging 3.02 kills/set with a total of 284 kills. Defensively, MH Alex Opperman leads the team with 106 total blocks, and LIB Haley Kauth leads the squad with 4.13 digs/set. Wayne State finished 4th in the NSIC a season ago with a conference record of 16-4.
Augustana
The Vikings (24-4, 15-3 NSIC) are riding a six-game win streak, with the most recent outing resulting in a stright set sweep over Minot State on Nov. 5. Augustana is currently tied for 2nd in the NSIC women's volleyball standings. OH Courtney Place leads the way offensively for the Vikings, averaging 3.39 kills/set. LIB Tahlyr Banks and RS/MB Bailey Koch have been defensive staples for Augustana. Banks averages 5.26 digs/set, while Koch has 112 total blocks. Last season, the Vikings finished in 7th place in the NSIC with an 11-9 mark in conference play.
History Against Wayne State
MSUM has played Wayne State a total of 45 times with MSUM down in the all-time series with Wayne State 18-27. The teams last met earlier this season, when MSUM fell 3-0. OH Carly Masloski and MB Mikayla Larson had six kills for the Dragons. Libero Monica Vega had 21 digs, while Makayla Wenzel had 12 set assists.
History Against Augustana
The Dragons have played Augustana a total of 31 times with MSUM trailing the all-time series 7-24. The teams last met early in the 2016 campaign, when MSUM lost in straight sets, 3-0. OH Carly Masloski had a team-high seven kills for the Dragons. Setter Makayla Wenzel had 13 assists.
Tough Road Ahead
MSUM will face AVCA Top-25 teams in its final two games of the season. So far this season, the Dragons are 0-8 against ranked opponents.
Consistency is Key
OH, and captain, Carly Masloski set a career-high in kills with 27 against Upper Iowa. Masloski has double-digit kills in eight of the last 11 matches while averaging a .208 hitting percentage. She has hit for double-digit kills in 65 percent of the matches, while averaging 3.15 kils/set so far this season.
Vega Keeps Digging
Sophomore libero Monica Vega has accumulated 543 digs through 26 total games this season. Vega is currently first in the NSIC, and 24th nationally, in digs averaging 5.54 digs/set. She set a career-high in digs against Minnesota Crookston on Oct. 8 with 44. Vega is a two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the week selection this season.
Makayla Managing the Offense
Redshirt-freshman setter Makayla Wenzel has started in all but one of the Dragons matches this season. Wenzel has amassed 902 set assists for an average of 9.20 assists/set. The redshirt-freshman also has 227 digs (2.32 digs/set) on the season to go along with 16 service aces.
Oh Captain, My Captain
Minnesota State University Moorhead announced its captains for the 2016 season earlier this week. Senior libero/defensive specialist Katie Meyers and junior outside hitter/middle blocker Carly Masloski will be MSUM's captains.
Blake Braces for 22nd Season
Head coach Tammy Blake enters her 22nd season as head coach of the Minnesota State University Moorhead volleyball program. Since taking over in Moorhead, Blake has lead MSUM to three NSIC championships and three NCAA appearances. Bob Jones and Madison Halterman are both making their debut this year on the MSUM volleyball staff.
Up Next
MSUM finishes its season this weekend, and will return to the court in 2017.
