SIOUX FALLS— The University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team, under the direction of Joel McCartney, returns to the Stewart Center this weekend for Parent and Senior Appreciation Weekend, taking on Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) North Dakotan foes Minot State and U-Mary on Friday and Saturday, respectively. This is the first weekend since mid-October that the Cougars will not face a single ranked-opponent.
The Rundown (2019 Record)-
Fri., Nov. 15, 6 p.m. vs Minot State Beavers (3-24, 2-16 NSIC)
Sat., Nov. 16, noon vs. U-Mary Marauders (1-26, 0-18 NSIC)
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Watch Live-
For all USF Volleyball home matches and all Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference contests, watch the Cougars live on Stretch Internet at USFCougars.com/watch. Live stats will be available for all matches. Links to home match live stats are available at USFCougars.com/livestats while links to all road match live stats are available on the USF Volleyball schedule at USFCougars.com.
Minot State Beavers (3-24, 2-16 NSIC)-
The Beavers, led by third-year head coach Dana Cordova, look to finish the season strong in what has been a less-than-desirable 3-24, 2-16 NSIC 2019 record.
The Beavers have recorded conference wins against U-Mary and MSU Moorhead, and their third came in a non-conference match versus U-Mary.
Shelby Spuller has been the heavy-hitter for the Beavers, recording 322 kills (3.50 kills per set), as Mackenzie Froelich has handled most of the assists with 739 (8.12 assists per set) on the season.
On defense, Karli Koza has had to put her best effort to keep the Beavers in matches, registering 428 digs (4.65 digs per set). Hayley Swain has been kept the ball from their side of the court with 69 blocks (0.75 blocks per set).
U-Mary Marauders (1-26, 0-18 NSIC)-
The Marauders, led by Creighton University Hall of Fame member and second-year head coach Korie Lebeda, have had a rough go of things in their 2019 campaign, recording a 1-26, 0-18 NSIC record.
The Marauders' only win of the season came to New Mexico Highlands (1-24). Both teams coincidently are on a 21-match losing streak.
Despite the record, Morgan Schnabel has had a respectable season, amassing 255 kills (2.71 kills per set). Sydney Murphy has been a key player in the offense, recording 602 assists (7.17 assists per set).
Sioux Falls Cougars (15-11, 7-11 NSIC)-
The Cougars will look to finish the season on a strong note, after dropping six of their last seven, which all six matches dropped were against teams who are currently ranked or receiving votes to be ranked.
Last weekend, the Cougars handled MSU Moorhead in four sets before dropping their four-set battle with Northern State.
Senior KaSandra Springer leads the way for the Cougars with 317 kills (3.96 kills per set) and 42 service aces (0.53 aces per set). USF Division II program-leader junior Krista Goeger has been steadily increasing to her total of career assists, including 881 assists (10.13 assists per set) in her junior campaign thus far.
On defense, senior Allie Maloney and redshirt sophomore Kenzie Byers have been forces to reckon with. Maloney, who is the all-time digs leader in Emporia State program history in her three years as a Hornet, has shown her abilities with 341 digs (4.21 digs per set) in her senior year as a Cougar. Byers has been a menace at the net, recording 73 blocks (0.84 blocks per set).
Parent and Senior Appreciation Weekend-
The Cougars, outside of their two matches, will honor their three seniors in Springer, Maloney, and Abby Feyereisen before Friday's match against the Beavers. Also during the weekend, the Cougars will give thanks to all the parents of each volleyball player and appreciation to their support of their children, the program, and USF Athletics.
