MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball will play a trio of matches during MSUM's Homecoming week with the Dragons matching up with Northern State, Minot State and Mary.

The contest with the Wolves will take place on Tuesday inside Nemzek Fieldhouse with a 6 p.m. start time. MSUM will then travel for neutral site matches with the Beavers and Marauders on Friday and Saturday from Aberdeen, S.D. The match with Minot State, which is considered a non-conference game, will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday before the Dragons match up with the Marauders in conference play at 2 p.m. on Saturday. 

MSUM split with opponents a week ago, defeating Minot State on the road on Tuesday evening. Tori Thompson registered nine kills and a pair of block assists for the Dragons in that match, which MSUM took in straight sets. Abby Thompson added in seven kills while Bridget Witzmann had six kills, two block assists and two service aces. The Dragons closed their week with a straight sets loss to Minnesota State from Mankato. Witzmann had 11 kills and 14 digs while Jadyn Feist added in nine kills. 

Witzmann leads the Dragons with 181 kills on the season with a .184 hit percentage. Feist has tallied 110 kills at a .231 hitting percentage for MSUM so far this season. Emily Skalicky leads MSUM with 266 assists while freshman Madi Colby has registered 130 assists. Feist has also been stern defensively, totaling a team-best 24 total blocks, including 10 block solos. Tori Thompson and Raiah Mandell have had 22 blocks each so far in 2023. 

Kari Thompson is in her first season as MSUM's head coach. 

Scouting Northern State

Northern State has begun their season with a 12-4 record including a 5-3 mark in NSIC play. The Wolves are coming off a five-set win over Mary on Tuesday night before falling in straight sets to Minnesota State on Saturday. Natalia Szybinska leads the Wolves offense with a team-best 166 kills at a .248 hitting clip. Setter Keri Walker is the primary facilitator for the Wolves, tallying 602 assists so far in 2023. Defensively, Abby Brooks leads the way for Northern State with 55 total blocks, including 16 block solos. 

Brent Aldridge is in his 13th season as NSU's head coach. 

Scouting Minot State

The Beavers are 2-15 on the season with a 1-8 ledger in conference play. Minot State fell to MSUM on Tuesday night in straight sets before falling in straight sets over the weekend to Winona State and Concordia, St. Paul. Bailee Brommenschenkel paces the Minot State offense with 85 kills on the season followed closely by Maggie Machado with 80 kills. Setter Jaina Macaulay has registered a team-high 268 assists so far in 2023. Defensively, Brommenschenkel has a team-best 31 blocks including 26 block assists. 

Alex Lehocky is in her second season as Minot State's head coach. 

Scouting UMary

Mary has begun their season with a 4-13 mark along with an 0-9 mark in NSIC play. Ally Gruber leads the Marauders with 162 kills at a .147 hit percentage followed closely by Nehkyah Ellis, who has racked up 143 kills. Setter Kameron Selvig paces the offense with 464 assists in 2023. On the defensive side of the net, Maggie Cooper has blocked a total of 49 balls including 12 block solos. 

Abby Pollart is in her third season as the Marauder head coach.