MOORHEAD, Minn. -- MSU Moorhead volleyball continues the trek through the NSIC conference gauntlet this week by hosting conference rivals in home contests. First, the Dragons will battle the 25th-ranked Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth on Friday at 6 p.m. Next, MSUM will welcome in the third-ranked team in the country, the St. Cloud State Huskies, for a showdown on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Live stats and video are available at msumdragons.com.
 
Dragons at a Glance

The Dragons (8-10, 3-7 NSIC), are coming off of a 3-0 sweep against the Minot State Beavers in their most recent match on Tuesday. In their previous two matches the Dragons dropped competitive tilts to Northern State and U-Mary. Against Minot State, the Dragons bested the Beavers in almost all categories. The Dragons had more kills (47-31), service aces (7-2), assists (41-29) and digs (48-31) than the Beavers. The two sides were level in the blocks column, each recording five blocks apiece.

The Dragons tallied the higher hitting percentage, .330, compared to Minot State's .175. Freshman outside hitter Brielle Riess had herself a nice game, totaling 11 kills, 13 digs and two blocks. Freshman middle blocker Mya Pfeifer also had a good game, leading the team in blocks with three, as well as notching five kills at a mark of .625. Against U-Mary the Dragons went five sets, but were unable to close the deal. Sophomore outside hitter Emily Ramsey had herself a fantastic match. She recorded a career-high 24 in the kills column with a .339 hitting percentage. Against Northern State, senior middle blocker Abby Thompson was solid on the defensive side of the net, recording four blocks in the match.

The Dragon tallies for the season in all categories are as follows: 834 kills (12.6 per set), .216 hitting percentage, 767 assists (11.6 per set), 105 aces, 1047 digs (15.9 per set) and 115 blocks (1.7 per set).

The Dragons are led by second-year head coach Kari Thompson.
 
Top Dragons

• Freshman outside hitter Brielle Riess – 196 kills, .187 hitting percentage, 25 service aces
• Sophomore outside hitter Emily Ramsay – 174 kills, 18 service aces, 158 digs
• Senior middle blocker Abby Thompson – 52 blocks, 149 kills, .335 hitting percentage
• Senior outside hitter Halle Erickson – 107 kills, 32 blocks, .222 hitting percentage
• Sophomore middle blocker Raiah Mandell – 93 kills, 26 blocks
• Freshman middle blocker Mya Pfeifer – 44 blocks, 70 kills
• Sophomore libero Kiara Olesch – 280 digs, 4.24 digs per set, 21 service aces
• Freshman setter Annalise Wilson – 362 assists, 5.48 assists per set, 147 digs

 
Scouting Minnesota Duluth

The 25th-ranked Bulldogs (11-8, 4-7 NSIC), swept their way through two matches last week, coming out on top against Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State, both in 3-0 matches. However, they were swept themselves by St. Cloud State as well. Through the 19 matches they've played this season, here are their statistics: 943 kills (13.1 per set), .225 hitting percentage, 879 assists (12.2 per set), 119 aces, 1139 digs (15.8 per set) and 144 blocks (2.0 per set).

A dangerous player on the Bulldogs to look out for is senior outside hitter Samantha Paulsen. She has recorded a team leading 201 kills with a .335 hitting percentage. She also is second on the Bulldogs in blocks with 59.

The Bulldogs are led by 23rd-year head coach Jim Boos.
 
Scouting St. Cloud State

The third ranked Huskies (17-2, 11-0 NSIC), are unbeaten in the treacherous Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference this season. They have been the class of the conference so far and this continued last week as well. They were dominant in all three matches last week, sweeping Minnesota Duluth, Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston, 3-0, in each match.

Through their incredible 19 games of the season so far, here are the Husky marks: 1014 kills (14.9 per set), .285 hitting percentage, 922 assists (13.6 per set), 130 aces, 1021 digs (15.0 per set) and 123 blocks (1.8 per set). Fifth-year senior outside hitter Kenzie Foley leads the Huskies in kills putting up an impressive mark of 340, all at a .299 hitting percentage. She adds 18 service aces and 36 blocks to the mix as well.

The Huskies are led by 10th-year head coach Chad Braegelmann.