For Immediate Release
Monday, August 27, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet (PDF)

NSIC Volleyball Players of the Week

NSIC Offensive Player of the Week
#21 Hailey Busch (OH, 5-11, R-Sr., Kasson, Minn. / Kasson-Mantorville HS)
Northern State University
- Earned MVP honors from the Concordia-Portland Tournament hitting .448 with 54 kills
- Averaged 4.50 kills per set
- Tallied three matches with double figure kills, including a season high 16 against Tiffin
- Hit a season high .762 against Tiffin with zero attack errors
- Added a team second best eight service aces
- Recorded 18 digs, six blocks, and four assists

NSIC Defensive Player of the Week
#11 Mara Quam (L, 5-7, So., Kenyon, Minn. / Kenyon-Wanamingo HS)
Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Compiled 60 digs in 12 sets for a 5.00 dig per set average
- Named to the USI Invitational All-Tournament team
- Racked up a season high 17 digs against Edinboro University
- Led the team and tied for the NSIC lead with 0.83 service aces per set (10 total)

NSIC Setter of the Week
#8 Ashley Rozell (S, 5-11, R-Jr., Warner, S.D. / Warner HS)
Northern State University
- Paced the Northern State offense to a .374 hitting percentage with 141 assists
- Averaged 11.75 assists per set, including a match high 14.67 against Colorado Christian
- Led the team and tied for the NSIC lead with 0.83 service aces per set (10 total)
- Tallied 26 digs, including a weekend high ten against Concordia Portland
- Added five kills and five blocks
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Week – 3-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 vs Seton Hill W 3-2 vs. Eckerd L 3-2 vs. Missouri-St. Louis W 3-1 vs. Charleston	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	W1	6th
Team Notes
- The Vikings went 1-1 in five-set matches over the weekend - Augustana won a three-set match, a four-set match and a five-set match last weekend - The Vikings averaged 13.3 kills/set in 17 sets at the Eckerd Classic.
Top Performer(s)
- Senior outside hitter Courtney Place led the Vikings with 65 kills over the weekend, including a weekend-high 22 kills vs. Eckerd - Freshman setter Avery Thorson distributed 177 assists over the weekend, an average of 10.41 assists per set. - Senior Kaylea Ahrens led the team with 72 digs over 17 sets of volleyball
Up Next - Augustana Invite- Sioux Falls, S.D.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. MSUM (NC) - 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs Lindenwood - 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Fort Hays State - 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept 1 vs. NSU (NC) - 7 p.m.

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Week – 3-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-2 vs Purdue Northwest L 3-2 vs Saginaw Valley State W 3-0 vs Minnesota Crookston W 3-0 at Wisconsin-Parkside	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	W2	15th
Team Notes
- Out-hit opponents .249-.212 during the Wisconsin-Parkside Tournament with 207 kills as a team while only committing 74 errors - Began the tournament with a 3-2 win over Purdue Northwest after trailing 2-1 in the first three sets - Earned back-to-back 3-0 sweeps in the final day against UMC and UWP for the team’s first sweep since Sept. 8, 2017
Top Performer(s)
- Anna Averkamp led the team with 49 kills, averaging 4.45 kills per set despite missing five sets - Freshman Maddie Mackinac coordinated the Beavers’ attack and totaled 167 assists for a 10.44 assists per set average
Up Next - Wildcat Open in Marquette, Mich.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs Michigan Tech – 11 am Friday, Aug. 31 vs Northwood – 5 pm Saturday, Sept. 1 at Northern Michigan – 1 pm Saturday, Sept. 1 vs Lake Superior State – 5 pm

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Week – 3-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-1 vs HC W 3-0 vs WS  L 0-3 at FSU W 3-0 vs RC	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	W1	1st
Team Notes
- Concordia head coach Brady Starkey picked up his 500th career win in the season-opening victory over Hillsdale - CSP improved to 14-2 in season-opening matches under Starkey in the four-set win over the Chargers - The Golden Bears finished with a combined 14.85-9.77 kills per set edge as well as a .235-.159 hitting percentage edge on the weekend
Top Performer(s)
- Brooklyn Lewis led the way offensively for the Golden Bears with 3.69 kills per set (48 total kills) while hitting .340 for the weekend - Tori Hanson was a rock in the back row as she put up 5.31 digs per set (69 total digs) as well as 0.69 service aces per set (nine total aces) in CSP’s four matches
Up Next - Colorado Premier Challenge - Denver, Colo.
Friday, Aug 31 vs Texas A&M-Commerce - 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at MSU Denver - 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. TBD

 

University of Mary Marauders

Last Week – 3-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 v Western State Colorado L 3-2 v MSU Billings W 3-0 v SD School of Mines and Technology  W 3-1 at MSU Moorhead	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	W2	14th
Team Notes
- Opened the season by winning three of four matches at the MSU Moorhead Microtel and Travelodge Classic - Korie Lebeda Tetzlaff made her collegiate head coaching debut for the Marauders - Jumped out to a 2-0 set lead in all four matches - Held a 14-2 edge in aces in the 3-0 win over SD Mines
Top Performer(s)
- Sydney Murphy was named to the All-Classic team after posting 12 aces and averaging 8.73 assists and 2.33 digs - She had a career-best 41 assists in a 3-1 win over host MSU Moorhead - Natalia Cruz averaged a team-best 2.80 kills per set and chipped in 2.60 assists/set - She had double digit kills in each of the first three games with a season-best 12 against MSU Moorhead and SD Mines - Anna Nietfeld averaged 2.31 kills and 2.46 digs per set - Morgan Schnabel chipped in 2.80 kills/set and soph. MH Madison Bergthold added 1.60 kills and .93 blocks/set
Up Next - Augustana Invite- Sioux Falls, S.D.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. NSU (NC) - 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Black Hills State - 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Fort Hays State - 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Lindenwood - 4:30 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Week – 1-3	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-1 UWP L 3-1 PNW L 3-0 BSU L 3-2 SVSU	1-3, 0-0 NSIC	L3	13th
Team Notes
- Minnesota Crookston got their first win of the season Friday over Wisconsin-Parkside - The Golden Eagles hit .144 as a team with 10.3 kills and 16.7 digs per set
Top Performer(s)
- Deaira Gresham averaged 3.63 kills per set and hit .135 on the weekend - Sabrina Leuer tallied 2.00 kills and 1.21 digs per set - Sydney Kruisselbrink averaged 8.00 assists per set on the weekend - Ali Schueler notched 3.88 digs per set
Up Next - Wildcat Open in Marquette, Mich.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Lake Superior State – 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Northern Michigan – 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Northwood – 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Michigan Tech – 2 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Week – 4-0	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-2 vs Findlay W 3-0 vs No. 25 Flagler  W 3-0 vs Erskine W 3-0 vs Saint Leo	4-0, 0-0 NSIC	W4	3rd
Team Notes
- UMD is 48-4 on the opening weekend since 2006 and 24-0 on opening day dating back to 2004 - The 18 kills allowed to Erskine was the fewest since U-Mary tallied 13 kills on Oct. 17, 2014 - No opponents hit above .165 as UMD held opponents to .114 hitting percentage this weekend
Top Performer(s)
- Sarah Kelly had 48 kills (3.43 k/set) and 31 digs (2.21 d/set) while hitting .390 - Makenzie Morgen posted 40 kills and a team high 3.64 kills per set - Abby Thor registered 26 kills (1.86 k/set) and 19 blocks (1.36 b/set)
Up Next - Wildcat Open in Marquette, Mich.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs Michigan Tech - 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Northern Michigan –  6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs Lake Superior State - 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs Northwood – 4 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Week – 4-0	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 at Kentucky State W 3-0 at Edinboro University W 3-0 at Ohio Dominican W 3-0 at Southern Indiana	4-0, 0-0 NSIC	W4	10th
Team Notes
- Earned sweeps in all four matches as the USI Invitational - Had three players named to the USI Invitational All-Tournament team, Morgan Olson, Anissa Janzig, and Mara Quam
Top Performer(s)
- Morgan Olson tallied 58 kills over the weekend to go along with a .413 attack percentage and was named to the USI Invitational All-Tournament team - Mara Quam Compiled 60 digs over the weekend tournament and was named to the USI Invitational All-Tournament team
Up Next- Westminster Invitational in Salt Lake City, Utah
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Truman State - 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Lubbock Christian - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Fort Lewis - 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Westminster - 7 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Week – 2-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-2 vs MINOT W 3-1 vs SDSM W 3-0 vs Western State L 1-3 to UMary	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	L1	12th
Team Notes
- MSUM finished 3-1 at its home event, the Microtel and Travelodge Classic, to open the 2018 campaign - Dragons opened with wins over Minot State, South Dakota School of Mines and Western State before losing to Mary - Senior libero Monica Vega and sophomore right side/setter Lauren Kiewiet were named to the all-classic team - Dragons hit .148 for the week
Top Performer(s)
- Lauren Kiewiet had 103 set assists, 45 digs and 22 kills in the four matches - Junior MB Kaylyn Jenkins had 37 kills and 12 blocks - Sophomore MB Kylie Kanwischer had 12 blocks and 24 kills - Senior L Monica Vega had 70 digs and a team-best five service aces - Freshman OH Madison Wassink had 35 kills
Up Next - Augustana Invite- Sioux Falls, S.D.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Lindenwood - 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Augustana (NC) - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 vs Black Hills State - 11:30 a.m.

 

Minot State University Beavers

Last Week – 2-2	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 3-2 at MSUM W 3-2 vs. Western State  L 3-1 vs. Montana State Billings W 3-1 vs. South Dakota Mines	2-2, 0-0 NSIC	W1	16th
Team Notes
- Minot State split its opening four matches at the Microtel and Travelodge Classic - The Beavers posted wins over Western State (3-2) and South Dakota Mines (3-1) - Minot State recorded a season-best 82 digs in the victory over South Dakota Mines
Top Performer(s)
- Shelby Spuller broke the Minot State DII era record for kills in a match with 31 against South Dakota Mines - Spuller was also named to the all-tournament team - Hayley Swain had a .427 attack percentage and averaged 2.39 kills per set - Kelsey Dewulf had two double-doubles and averaged 10.0 assists per set
Up Next - Rosella Meier Classic, Kearney, Neb.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Newman – 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. South Dakota Mines – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at Nebraska Kearney – 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Midwestern State – 4 p.m.

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Week – 4-0	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 vs. WOU W 3-0 vs. CUP W 3-0 vs. CCU W 3-0 vs. TU	4-0, 0-0 NSIC	W4	4th
Team Notes
- The Wolves opened the 2018 season with a 4-0 start from the Concordia Portland Tournament - Northern hit .374 as a team averaging 15.08 kills, 13.42 assists, 2.58 service aces, 13.92 digs, and 1.42 blocks per set - Six Wolves finished the weekend hitting .300 or better - NSU hit a weekend high .494 against Tiffin, knocking down 43 kills in 79 swings, with just four errors - Hailey Busch and Jenna Reiff were named to the All-Tournament team, with Busch also bringing home MVP honors
Top Performer(s)
- Hailey Busch led the team with 54 kills, averaging 4.50 per set. The senior hit .448 with eight service aces, six blocks, and 18 digs - Jenna Reiff hit a team high .537, and followed Busch with 35 kills. She added a team best ten blocks, averaging 0.83 per set - Ashley Rozell dished out 141 total assists, averaging 11.75 per set, and led the team with a league high ten service aces - Jaiden Langlie led the Wolves defense with 58 digs, averaging 4.83 per set
Up Next - Augustana Invite- Sioux Falls, S.D.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. UMary – 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Fort Hays State – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Lindenwood – 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at #23 Augustana – 7 p.m.

 

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Week – 2-2	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 3-0 vs. No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic W 3-0 vs. Davenport W 3-1 vs. Cal State East Bay L 3-2 vs. No. 20 Colorado School of Mines	2-2, 0-0 NSIC	L1	9th
Team Notes
- USF outscored opponents in several categories, totaling a 217-to-201 margin in kills and a .285-to-.210 hitting advantage - USF had a 209-to-185 edge in assists and a 27-22 margin in aces while maintaining a 225-to-198 margin in digs
Top Performer(s)
- Senior Bria Barfnecht recorded four straight double digit kill games, including two double-doubles (two straight) - Barfnecht was named to Oredigger Classic All-Tournament Team - Barfnecht had 59 kills on 111 attacks for a .387 hitting percentage, 40 digs, 13 total blocks and three services aces - Senior Makenna Rockeman was named to All-Tourney Team at Oredigger Classic - Rockeman recorded 39 kills, five service aces, 25 digs and three blocks; now has 1,066 kills for second all-time, just 29 from the school record - Sophomore Averey Yaksich tied a career-high with 16 kills in the 3-2 loss to No. 20 Colorado Mines - Lexi Scott had 41 kills and hit .3333 with a team-high 19 blocks; now has 726 kills for fifth all-time at USF
Up Next - Rockhurst Classic
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Emporia State - 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Rockhurst - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. William Jewell - 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept 1 vs. Northwest Missouri State 3:30 p.m.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Week – 2-2	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 vs WWU L 1-3 UWF L 2-3 RU  W 3-0 WJU	2-2, 0-0 NSIC	W1	2nd
Team Notes
- SMSU opened the season at the West Florida Invitational competing against four nationally ranked AVCA Top-25 teams - Both SMSU wins were sweeps - Taylor Reiss (MVP) and Emma Thomssen were named to the all-tournament team. - SMSU hit .245 in the season opening tournament
Top Performer(s)
- Taylor Reiss led the tournament in kills (87) and points (93.5). - Emma Thomssen received all-tournament team honors after averaging 12.07 assists per set
Up Next - Colorado Premier Challenge - Denver, Colo.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Colorado Christian - 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Saint Leo (Fla.) – 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. TBD

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Week – 2-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 0-3 vs Simon Fraser W 3-0 vs. Hawaii-Pacific	1-1, 0-0 NSIC	W1	11th
Team Notes
- St. Cloud State braved the elements in its opening tournament of the season, as the team was on the Big Island during Hurricane Lane - Two of the Huskies matches were cancelled due to flooding; however, SCSU was still able to get two matches in and earn its first win of the season in dominant 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-13) fashion over Hawaii-Pacific
Top Performer(s)
- Junior libero Clara Krenz moved to sixth all-time in program history in career digs (1108) thanks to her 33 digs in two matches in Hawaii - Krenz led the team in digs in both matches, with 16 against Simon Fraser and 17 against Hawaii-Pacific. - First year outside Linsey Rachel tallied a combined 23 kills in her collegiate debut and led the team in the category in both matches. - Junior libero Clara Krenz tallied a combined 33 digs in two matches over the weekend
Up Next - Wildcat Open in Marquette, Mich.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Northwood – 12 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Lake Superior State – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Michigan Tech. – 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at Northern Michigan – 6 p.m.

 

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Week – 3-1	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
L 3-1 at No. 21 Ferris State W 3-0 vs. Lake Superior State W 3-0 vs. Clarion W 3-0 vs. Mercyhurst	3-1, 0-0 NSIC	W3	8th
Team Notes
- Head Coach Aaron Nelson earned his 100th victory at Upper Iowa with 3-0 win over Lake Superior State on Friday - Following the final match of the invitational Malissa LeClaire and Lauren Wombles were named to the all-tournament team - For the weekend, Upper Iowa recorded 162 kills, 243 digs and 42 blocks
Top Performer(s)
- LeClaire recorded 124 assists (9.5/set), 48 digs, 9 service aces and 5 blocks. Wombles knocked down 30 kills (2.3/set) and added 5 digs - Anna Winter led the team in kills with 36, but Haley Weepie clipped her heels with 34 kills - Bethany Lovhaug was a force at the net posting 18 blocks (1.4/set) for the Peacocks. - On the backline, Gabby Holmes and Madi Meier paced the defense with 50 and 43 digs, respectively
Up Next - UIndy Invitational - Indianapolis, Ind.
Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Wheeling Jesuit - 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31 vs. Wisconsin-Parkside - 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at UIndy - 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 vs. Quincy - 7 p.m.

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Week – 4-0	Season Record	Streak	Preseason Poll
W 3-0 vs Westminster (Utah) W 3-0 vs. Lynn (Fla.)  W 3-0 vs. Valdosta State (Ga.) W 3-0 vs. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)	4-0, 0-0 NSIC	W4	5th
Team Notes
- Opened season going 4-0 at Embry-Riddle Tournament in Florida - Won all matches in 3-0 sweeps - Averaged 2.33 kills per set
Top Performer(s)
- Sophomore Alyssa Ballenger averaged 3.08 kills per set - Junior middle hitter Tarrin Beller averaged 3.00 kills and 1.25 blocks per set - Junior libero Haley Kauth accounted for 4.33 digs per set
Up Next - South Central Classic - Durant, Okla.
Friday, August 31 vs. Southern Nazarene - 12 p.m. Friday, August 31 vs. East Central (Okla.) - 5 p.m. Saturday, September 1 at Southeastern Okla. State - 10 a.m. Saturday, September 1 vs. Central Oklahoma - 2 p.m.

 

Winona State University Warriors