The #11 ranked University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball team takes a quick turn around from their victory in Bemidji to visit the University of Sioux Falls and Southwest Minnesota State University in this weekend's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matchups.
Match Information
Friday
6PM @ Sioux Falls (S.D.)
Watch: https://nsicnetwork.com/umdbulldogs/
Live Stats: https://usfcougars.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
Saturday
2PM @ SMSU
Watch: https://nsicnetwork.com/umdbulldogs/
Live Stats: https://smsumustangs.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary
The Season So Far
The Bulldogs currently sit at an overall record of 11-4 and a conference record of 4-3 this season. Despite the back to back losses last weekend to Augustana and Wayne State, they were able to quickly turn the momentum back into their favor and grab a win on the road versus Bemidji State in four sets. Graduate student setter Madison Gordon continues to stand out, currently ranked #8 nationally and #3 in the conference for average assists per set with 11.08. Gordon sits at tenth in the program record book for career assists, and looks to add onto her 2904 career total. Senior outside hitter Cianna Selbitschka continues her campaign for the program's 1000 kill club, heading into this weekend's matchups with 909 career kills.
Scouting Report - University of Sioux Falls (S.D.)
UMD heads to Sioux Falls first to take on a Cougars team that they are 16-2 against in program history. The last time these two teams faced each other was in the opening round of the NSIC championship, where UMD took the match in a clean 3 set sweep. Junior right side Samantha Paulsen led the match with 11 kills, and looks to act upon her previous success against this team.
Sioux Falls currently sits at an overall record of 6-8 and a conference record of 2-4 after missing out on the national tournament last season. The Cougars head into this matchup after a 1-3 set loss to Concordia St. Paul, looking to get a win before facing off against #6 St. Cloud State.
Scouting Report - Southwest Minnesota State University
UMD finds a tougher matchup for them in Southwest Minnesota State, which they are 68-20 against in program history. These two teams have not faced each other since September of last season, where the match ended in a nail biting 3-2 win for the Bulldogs.
SMSU currently sits at an overall 12-2 record and 5-1 conference record, looking to continue their 3 match winning streak in their weekend slate. Their last outing saw them winning a four set match over Augustana on Tuesday, and they will take on #6 St. Cloud State before taking on the Bulldogs.
Looking Ahead
UMD will leave to take on St. Cloud State next Friday before returning to Romano Gymnasium to take on a University of Minnesota Crookston team next Saturday who only have one conference win on the season so far.
