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SMSU VOLLEYBALL: Mustangs open conference on the road at UMary and Minot State this weekend

Independent file photo SMSU’s Sarina Smith follows through on an attack attempt during their Oct. 5, 2018 match against the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Mustangs will begin conference play today against the University of Mary.

MARSHALL – The No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team prepares to open conference play at University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. today at 6 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. at Minot State in Minot, N.D.

•SMSU went 3-1 last weekend at the Colorado Premier Challenge in Denver, Colo.

•Mustangs won their pool outright to advance to the gold bracket. They defeated No. 5 Lewis to advance to the championship match, to face No. 6 Concordia-St. Paul, a rematch of last season.

•SMSU suffered the only loss of the weekend in the championship match with a four-set loss to CSP.

•Angela Young was named tournament MVP.

•Meg Schmidt and Zoe Lier were also named to the all-tournament team.

What you

need to know

•SMSU moved back to No. 9 in the latest AVCA poll released on Monday. This marks the 178th poll that SMSU has been featured in the Top-25.

•This is a six-spot jump from last week.

•SMSU is one of eight NSIC schools ranked in the Top-25. Minnesota Duluth leads the way at No. 4, Concordia-St. Paul is No. 6, Northern State is No. 8, SMSU is No. 9, St. Cloud State is No. 19, Wayne State is No. 20, Sioux Falls is No. 24, and Upper Iowa is No. 25.

•The Mustangs were picked to finish fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll for the 2019 season.

•Angela Young was named the Colorado Premier Challenge tournament MVP.

•Zoe Lier and Meg Schmidt were also named to the all-tournament team.

Closing in on 400

•Head coach Terry Culhane is closing in on his 400th career win as he is only two victories shy of the accolade after the opening weekend.

•Culhane, who is in his 16th season with the Mustangs, has a 398-108 overall record.

Mustang leaders

•Junior Angela Young leads the team offensively with 120 kills.

•Emma Thomssen leads in assists with 195 and Alisa Bengen is right behind with 192.

•Payton Hjerleid leads the team defensively with 105 digs and 3.39 digs per set.

•Zoe Lier leads in blocks with 27 including 21 block assist and six block solos.

•Hjereid and Young both tie for the lead in assists

UMary match preview

2019 Record: 1-7

Head Coach: Korie Lebeda, first season

Mascot: Marauders

Series History

•SMSU is undefeated in the all-time series with a 19-0 advantage.

•SMSU has swept all but two matches which were four-set victories.

•The Mustangs won the last meeting with a 25-22, 25-15, 25-18, sweep over the Marauders.

UMary notes

•Head Coach, Korie Lebeda, in her first season at UMary, after serving as the assistant coach at Black Hills State.

•Morgan Schnabel leads the Marauders with 114 this season.

•Leading the Marauders defense is Natalie Cruz with 102 digs. Cruz also leads in service aces

•Sydney Murphy paces UMary with 283 assists recorded this season.

•UMary’s lone victory this season was a four-set victory over N. M. Highlands.

•UMary opened their season at the Michigan Tech tournament SMSU played in. UMary went 0-4 in the tournament.

Minot State

match preview

2019 Record: 0-8

Head Coach: Dana Cordova, third season

Mascot: Beavers

Series History

•SMSU is undefeated in the all-time series with a 9-0 advantage.

•SMSU has swept all nine meetings.

•SMSU won the last meting on Dec. 12, 2018, with 25-14, 25-6, 25-13 set finals.

Minot State notes

•Head coach Dana Cordova is in her third season and has a 18-41 overall record and 7-33 record in conference play.

•Minot opened the season at the Chaminade Tournament in Hawaii and the Mountain Lion Invitation in Colorado Springs, Colo.

•Shelby Spuller leads the offensive with 72 kills.

•Karli Koza leads the Beaver defense with 91 digs and service aces with five.

•Mackenzie Froehlich paces Minot with 184 assists.

Up next

The Mustangs will face Northern State on Friday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. in the home opener in the PE Gym. Followed by MSU Moorhead on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.

– Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications

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