SIOUX FALLS- The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team, under the direction of head coach Joel McCartney, will look to start a new winning streak, after beating Augustana in five sets on Tuesday, when Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State come to the Stewart Center on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The Cougars are 12-5 overall, and 4-5 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matches.

The Rundown (2019 record):
Fri., Oct. 18, 6 p.m. vs. Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles (4-13, 2-7 NSIC)
Sat., Oct. 19, 4 p.m. vs. Bemidji State Beavers (5-12, 2-7 NSIC)

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Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles (4-13, 2-7 NSIC):
The Golden Eagles, under the leadership of third-year head coach Sarah Rauen, are 4-13 on the season, winning their first match 3-1 against Wisconsin-Parkside 3-2, the second year in a row that the Golden Eagles defeated the Rangers to start the season. After six losses, the Golden Eagles finished their non-season slate with a narrow, five-set victory over the South Dakota School of Mines.

The first five matches the Golden Eagles had in conference play proved daunting, falling to Concordia-St. Paul, Minnesota State, Upper Iowa, Winona State, and Northern State, all of whom are ranked or receiving votes in the latest AVCA Division II Coaches Poll. In those five matches, the Golden Eagles only captured one set. The Golden Eagles fell to MSU Moorhead in four sets before garnering their first conference wins of 2019, defeating Mary in four sets and Minot state in five. 

On Tuesday, the Golden Eagles faced a stout No. 8 St. Cloud State team at home. The Huskies proved too much for the Golden Eagles to handle, with the Golden Eagles falling in straight sets that included a dominant 25-5 set two win for the Huskies.

Sophomore Porsha Porath has been heavily relied on by the Golden Eagles for offense, with Porath recording 205 of the Golden Eagles' 635 kills on the season. Porath is hitting at a percentage of .160 (205K-93E-698TA). Junior Sydney Kruisselbrink leads the team with 386 assists (5.94 assists/set) on the season. Defensively, the Golden Eagles will look to junior Katie Lienermann, who was named one of the Top NSIC Defensive Performers by the league office on Monday. Lienermann has collected 220 digs (3.55 digs/set) for the Golden Eagles.

Bemidji State Beavers (5-12, 2-7 NSIC):
The Beavers, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Kevin Ulmer, have a record of 5-12, 2-7 in NSIC action. BSU started the season with a 3-1 appearance in Big Rapids, Mich., losing to only Wayne State (Mich.). The Beavers were less fortunate in their next weekend of action, though, losing all four matches to four tough teams in St. Cloud, Minn.

In NSIC action, the Beavers had the same fate as Minnesota Crookston, falling in their first six matches before beating Mary and Minot State 3-1 in both matches. In the 0-6 start to conference play, the Beavers went down to the wire against then-No. 6 Concordia-St. Paul, building a 2-1 match lead at home before dropping the final two sets. The Beavers last match was against Minnesota Duluth, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the Bulldogs. Though it was a sweep for the Bulldogs, the Beavers were able to keep it closing losing the final two sets in extra rallies (24-26, 24-26).

Before the Beavers come to the Stewart Center, they will make a trip to Marshall, Minn., to face Southwest Minnesota State.

Senior Julie Touchett leads the Beavers' offense with a hitting percentage of .284 (166K-52E-401TA) and 2.55 kills per set. Redshirt freshman Maddie Mackinac is the Beavers' assist-leader, being the second touch on 624 kills. Defensively, the Beavers lean on senior Emma Hallmann who has recorded 271 digs (4.17 digs/set) on the season.

Sioux Falls Cougars (12-5, 4-5 NSIC):
The Cougars have amassed a record of 12-5, 4-5 in NSIC matches after a historic start, winning their first 11 matches—a program best start to a season—and won 34 of their first 35 sets—also a program best streak. The Cougars' first set lost was against Texas Woman's University in Denton, Tex., the 23rd set the Cougars played on the season.

In NSIC action, the Cougars got three straight wins, beating Minot State, U-Mary, and MSU Moorhead to start conference play. USF dropped five heart-breaking losses to extremely stout competitors before beating a just-as-competitive Augustana in a five-set thriller at the Stewart Center.

Spring(er)ing into action:
The Cougars had a strong showing from senior KaSandra Springer against in-city rival Augustana. Springer started the match with a stellar .714 hitting percentage (5K-0E-7TA) in the first set, which paced her to a career-high 25 kills. She also had five blocks and 13 digs to cap the night. On the season, Springer is second in Division II in service aces (0.67 aces/set) on 34 aces.

Cougars still receiving votes in AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Week 6 Poll:
The Cougars, despite dropping two tough matches before Monday's AVCA Coaches Poll release, are still receiving 30 votes to be in the Top 25, and will look to climb back into the Top 25 when the Golden Eagles and Beavers come to town.

Goerger chasing USF Division II history:
Junior Krista Goerger leads the Cougars in assists, gathering 582 assists on the season. Goerger has tallied 2,004 career assists, being only the second Cougar in USF's Division II era. This puts Goerger at just 135 assists away from tying the record, set by Alexa Reed in 2012-13, for most career assists for a Cougar in the Division II era.

Can you dig it?
After transferring from Emporia State, senior Allie Maloney, who holds the all-time digs record for the Hornets, has shown her versatility with the Cougars to this point, leading the Cougars with 223 digs (4.21 digs/set), while also supporting the offense with 44 assists and five service aces.

Abby is on Feyer(eisen):
Senior Abby Feyereisen is 23rd in hitting percentage (.382), firing off 158 kills on 335 attacks. Feyereisen, who was named one of the NSIC's top offensive performers in the first three weeks of the season, tied a Division II program record, set by former teammate Bria Barfnecht a season ago, or hitting percentage in a single match, hitting .750 against U-Mary (16K-1E-20TA) on Sept. 21.

Where the Cougars, Golden Eagles, and Beavers stand in the NSIC: