By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls volleyball team returns to action with a home-and-away set, beginning tonight at 6 p.m. at the Stewart Center against No. 7 Wayne State, before moving down the street to face Augustana on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Elmen Center.
Cougar Notes
USF enters the weekend looking to build on a strong first half of the NSIC season. The Cougars have won five of their last eight matches, including a 3-2 win over #8 Southwest Minnesota State in September. Through 17 matches, the team is hitting an impressive .268 while averaging 12.9 kills per set and 2.1 blocks per set, all among the top marks in the league.
Leading the attack is senior outside hitter Sadie Voss, who continues to be one of the NSIC's most reliable scorers. Voss has totaled 197 kills (3.13 per set) with a .249 hitting percentage and 219 points, while adding 156 digs and 15 blocks this fall.
In the middle, Haley Wolfe has been a force both offensively and defensively, posting 96 kills (1.55 per set) with a stellar .300 hitting percentage and a team-high 62 blocks (1.00 per set).
Courtney Holsteen and Ella Walker have also provided balance, combining for 247 kills and over 90 total blocks, while senior setter Elise Gillen directs the offense with 360 assists (5.71 per set) and 17 aces. Defensively, libero Maci Lerseth anchors the back row with 207 digs (3.57 per set).
Opponent Notes & Matchups
#7 Wayne State (15-3, 8-1 NSIC)
As a nationally ranked program, Wayne State enters the weekend leading the NSIC with their lone loss coming to Concordia-St. Paul on the road when the Golden Bears swept the Wilcats in three.
The Wildcats are traditionally strong both offensively and defensively, built around elite ball control and disciplined net play. Their front line features multiple attackers averaging over 3.0 kills per set with a team hitting percentage of .260.
Defensively, WSC's blocking and serve-receive pressure are key separators—they average nearly 1.8 blocks per set and generate consistent first-ball side-outs. Their aggressive serving often puts opponents out of system early, allowing their middles to take control of rallies.
The Wildcats' balanced depth and experience make them especially tough to disrupt, but teams have found success when extending rallies and forcing out-of-system swings. For USF, serve-receive consistency and transition defense will be essential to neutralize Wayne State's tempo and limit their runs.
Augustana (8-9, 2-7 NSIC)
Augustana enters the weekend 8-9 overall and 2-7 in NSIC play, looking to rebound after a challenging stretch of conference competition. The Vikings have found success offensively but have struggled with consistency against top-tier opponents, posting a team hitting percentage of .238 while averaging 12.7 kills per set and 2.0 blocks per set.
The offense runs through Maya Wente, who leads the team with 213 kills (3.18 per set) on an efficient .322 hitting percentage and 255 total points. She's supported by Lucy Belisle (171 kills, 2.63 K/S) and Brooke Berens (135 kills, .252), giving the Vikings three primary scoring threats.
Setter Kiylah Franke directs the attack with 706 assists (10.54 per set) while also contributing 23 aces and nearly 2.0 digs per set. From the service line, Sydney Tims (26 aces) provides additional pressure, and at the net, Wente and Berens combine for nearly 1.7 blocks per set to anchor the front row.
Defensively, Augustana averages 14.2 digs per set, paced by Gabby Jones (156 digs) and Franke (128). Despite their recent struggles in conference play, the Vikings have the personnel to compete when their first contact and transition game are sharp.
USF will look to control tempo early, limit Wente's touches, and force extended rallies to neutralize the Vikings' efficiency.
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