SIOUX FALLS —After a strong 5-3 start in the nonconference part of the schedule, University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team (5-3, 0-0 NSIC) will host their home NSIC opener against No. 19 Wayne State (7-1, 0-0 NSIC) on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Stewart Center.  USF enters Thursday's match after a strong showing at the Rockhurst Classic, winning three of four matches losing only to No. 8 Rockhurst in a hard-fought five sets.
 
Led by Bria Barfnecht, who has been named to all-tourney teams at the Oredigger Classic and Rockhurst Classic, the Cougars have gone 2-2 and 3-1 at the two tourneys. The only losses by USF have come against No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic, No. 8 Rockhurst and previously No. 20 Colorado Mines. Both the Rockhurst and Colorado Mines matches took five sets to decide the winner.
 
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Goerger and Barfnecht coming off of All-Tournament honors
Sophomore Krista Goerger  and Barfnecht were both named to the Rockhurst Classic All-Tournament Team. During her four matches, Goerger, a setter for USF, had 113 assists or 7.53 per set. She added seven kills on 12 attacks for a .500 hitting percentage with 28 digs, three blocks and nine service aces for 18 total points. She had a career-best six service aces in the three-set win over William Jewell. In a 3-1 win over Northwest Missouri State, she had 38 assists, which is her third highest total of the year. Goerger, who is averaging 8.74 assists per set in 2018, has had at least 21 assists in every match this season. She is also averaging nearly two digs per set and has 58 on the season with 15 service aces, a team-high.

Barfnecht had 40 kills on 74 attacks for a .405 hitting percentage while collecting 24 digs with four blocks and totaled 41.5 points during the Rockhurst Classic.  In eight matches this season, Barfnecht has double digit kills in seven including a career best vs. then No. 20 Colorado School of Mines. She has 99 kills (team-high 3.19 per set) on 185 attacks for a .395 hitting percentage. Along with three service aces, she has 67 digs (2.1 per set), 16 total blocks 0.52 per set) and 110.5 points
 
Rockeman moved into first place in USF's career kills list
Senior Outside Hitter Makenna Rockeman began the season only 67 kills behind Emily Johnson for the all-time kills leader in USF history. With her latest four kill showing against Northwest Missouri State, Rockeman now sits at 69 kills on the season which moves her into first place in career kills (1096).
 
Offense creating opportunities for the Cougars
USF, which was selected ninth in the NSIC preseason Coaches Poll, has put together a string of impressive offensive numbers to begin the 2018 season. The Cougars, currently ranked 11 in the conference, have racked up 923 total attacks on the year, resulting in 416 kills for a hitting percentage of .312. This hitting percentage ranks third in the Northern Sun Conference. The team is posting 13.4 kills per set and 12.7 assists per set as well. The Cougar's offensive success is due partially to the successful service numbers that the team has posted. USF has had 54 service aces so far this year resulting in 1.7 aces per set.
 
Wayne State relies on fundamentals and defense to find success
The Wayne State Wildcats, currently ranked second in the NSIC standings, have dominated opponents on defense this season posting 70 total blocks resulting in 2.7 blocks per set. The Wildcat's defense is led by sophomore middle-hitter Jaci Brahmer who has accumulated 37 total blocks on the season. Brahmer is joined by junior middle-hitter Tarrin Beller, who has 29 total blocks so far this year. As a team, Wayne State has held opposing teams to a .103 hitting percentage which ranks first in the Northern Sun Conference.
 
So far in the 2018 season, Wayne State has won 22 total sets compared to the four sets that their opponents have taken. As a team, the Wildcats record 12.6 kills per set, 11.6 assists per set, 1.7 aces per set, and 2.7 blocks per set. The Wildcats have posted a hitting percentage of .261, which currently places them forth in the NSIC.
 
Wayne State was picked to finish fifth in the NSIC Volleyball Coach's Poll.
 
USF travels to Augustana Sept. 8
The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball Team will next travel to Augustana University (5-3, 0-0) on Saturday, Sept. 8 for a 5 p.m. match. Augustana currently is ranked ninth in the NSIC, two spots above USF. Senior outside hitter Courtney Place who has accounted for 129 kills on the season leads the Augustana offense. Place tallies 4.3 kills per set and has a .273 hitting percentage.
 
Augustana as a team holds a .235 hitting percentage which ranks seventh in the NSIC. Their total kills (398) ranks eighth in the conference, while USF ranks sixth in the conference with 417 kills. Augustana was picked to finish sixth in the NSIC in the Preseason Coaches Poll.