By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls volleyball team (15-9, 10-6 NSIC) is back on the road this weekend for its final conference road swing of the regular season. The Cougars will travel to Jamestown for a matchup on Friday at 6 p.m., before heading north to Aberdeen to face No. 22 Northern State on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Riding Momentum
USF enters the weekend on a five match win streak, including back-to-back home victories over Bemidji State and No. 21 Minnesota Duluth. During the current streak, the Cougars have hit an impressive .274 as a team, averaging 13.3 kills and 2.1 blocks per set — both top marks in the NSIC .
Veteran leadership continues to pace USF's success. Sadie Voss leads the charge with 292 kills (3.28 per set) while hitting .266 and adding 258 digs. Courtney Holsteen and Ella Walker add balance at the net with a combined 374 kills, while middle hitter Haley Wolfe leads the team defensively with 85 total blocks (0.99 per set) and a .318 attack percentage. Setter Elise Gillen directs the offense with 518 assists (5.82 per set) and 27 aces, and libero Maci Lerseth anchors the back row with 282 digs (3.48 per set).
Opponent Outlooks
Jamestown (9-14, 4-12 NSIC)
The Jimmies enter the matchup seeking to snap a losing skid after falling to nationally ranked opponents in four of their last five matches. They're led offensively by Ava Mueller, who averages 2.32 kills per set and has a team-high 188 kills on the season, and Corbyn Menz, who matches her output with 172 kills (2.32 K/S) . Setters Lily Bertsch and Ava Bertsch have combined for over 680 assists, while Addison Brooke provides efficiency in the middle with a .345 hitting percentage and 70 total blocks. Defensively, libero Momoka Minamiya anchors the backcourt with 354 digs (4.37 per set).
No. 22 Northern State (18-6, 10-6 NSIC)
Northern State continues to be one of the most efficient teams in the NSIC, ranking among league leaders with a .280 attack percentage and 14.1 kills per set. The Wolves feature a potent offense led by Linnea Nesheim (284 kills, 3.59 K/S) and Natalia Szybinska (248 kills, .310 hitting), complemented by Abby Brooks, who adds 240 kills on a stellar .407 clip along with 95 blocks on the season. Setter Ava Nilsson pilots the offense with 945 assists (12.12 A/S), while Abby Schauer leads the defense with 446 digs (5.44 per set). At the net, Northern State has amassed 171 team blocks (2.1 B/S), making them a formidable defensive unit.
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