THE OPENING SERVE:

The UMD Bulldogs host a pair of NSIC teams this weekend as they will host No. 14 Southwest Minnesota State on Friday November 5 at 6:00 PM. They will then host the Sioux Falls Cougars on Saturday November 6 at 4:00 PM.

SCOUTING REPORT ON SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE:

This will be the second time these teams face off this season. The first matchup came on September 25 when SMSU would win in a five set thriller. Since that match, SMSU has gone 6-5 while UMD has gone 8-4. The Mustangs come into the match having lost two of the last three games after dropping a pair 3-1 losses to Sioux Falls and Augustana.

The Mustangs are led by Angela Young who is averaging 4.34 kills per set which is good for the second best in the NSIC. Alisa Benen leads the Mustangs with 8.7 assists per game. They are also led by Payton Hjerleid who is averaging 4.15 digs per set. Head Coach Terry Culhane is in his 18th season with the program.

SCOUTING REPORT ON SIOUX FALLS:

This will also be the second matchup between the Cougars and the Bulldogs. In the first matchup, UMD was able to pull out a win in the five match thriller. The Cougars come into the matchup having won two of their last three games including wins over No. 13 ranked Southwest Minnesota State and Wayne State.

Sioux Falls are led by Averey Yaksich who is averaging 4.45 kills per set, which is good for best in the conference. Krista Goerger leads the team with 10.6 assists per set. Head Coach Dan Mathews is in his first season with the program.

THE SERIES:

UMD currently holds a 67-19 record against Southwest Minnesota State. The last matchup came this season as the Mustangs would win the match 3-2.

The Bulldogs come into the matchup with a 13-2 record against Sioux Falls. The last matchup was earlier this season as the Bulldogs won 3-2.

Minnesota Duluth Sophomore Outside Hitter Cianna Selbitschka is currently third in the conference in total kills (355) and third in the conference in kills per set (4.08). Selbitschka is fourth in the conference in total service aces (34) and  is fourth in average service aces per set (0.39). Selbitschka also ranks in the top 20 in the conference in digs ranking 11th in the conference in total digs (279) and 13th in digs per set (3.21)

Bulldogs Sophomore Grace Daak currently leads the NSIC with 113 total blocks and is second with 1.22 blocks per set.

Senior Sydney Lanoue is currently second in the conference in total digs (436) and third in digs per set (4.69). Lanoue is also 12th in total service aces (30).

Redshirt Junior Madison Gordon currently has the fourth most assists (928) and seventh in assists per set (9.98).

DOWN THE STRETCH

With the regular season winding to the end, the Bulldogs would see themselves on the outside looking in to make it to the NSIC Tournament. To try to get back into the picture, the Bulldogs have won 7 of the last 8 matches to get themselves back into the playoff picture. The Bulldogs still have work to do but control their own destiny as they play four teams that are currently above them in the NSIC standings.

THE BROADCAST:

You can find a live stream for both games here: https://nsicnetwork.com/umdbulldogs/

You can find the live stats for both matches here:

https://umdbulldogs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary

LAST TIME OUT:

The Bulldogs traveled to Minnesota State Moorhead and to Northern State University. The Bulldogs would defeat the Dragons with a 3-0 sweep. They would then defeat the Wolves with a 3-1 victory.

UP NEXT:

The Bulldogs will travel to face off against Augustana on Friday November 12 at 6:00 PM. They will then travel to face off against No. 13 Wayne State in their regular season finale at 1:00 PM.