By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Fresh off a thrilling upset over No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State, the University of Sioux Falls Volleyball team looks to keep its momentum rolling as they host a pair of Northern Sun matchups this weekend. The Cougars will face Minnesota Crookston on Friday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. before taking on MSU Moorhead on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. for Junior Cougar Club Day.
Following the match on Saturday, Junior Cougar Club members will get the chance to meet their favorite USF Volleyball student-athletes along with the chance for autographs and pictures.
Riding the Momentum
USF (7-4, 2-1 NSIC) enters the weekend with confidence after a five-set battle on Tuesday night, where the Cougars handed nationally-ranked SMSU just its second loss of the season. The victory showcased USF's resilience, as they pulled out tight opening sets and delivered a dominant fifth set to secure the win.
Cougar Leaders
The Cougars are hitting .275 as a team while holding opponents to .210, ranking among the best offensive fronts in the NSIC.
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Sadie Voss continues to pace the offense with 126 kills (2.93 per set), while also adding 11 total blocks.
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Aubrey Gates has tallied 114 kills (2.65 per set) and 17 blocks.
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Courtney Holsteen (89 kills, .316 hitting percentage) and Haley Wolfe (72 kills, .367) give the Cougars balance across the front row.
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Defensively, Ella Walker leads the blocking game with 43 total blocks (1.00 per set), while Maci Lerseth anchors the back row with 146 digs (3.40 per set).
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Elise Gillen has directed the offense with 242 assists (5.63 per set), while Liz Kopp adds 156 assists (4.59 per set) and Hollie Peterson joins with 39 assists across two matches.
Series History
- Minnesota Crookston: The Cougars hold a 14-1 record over the Golden Eagles dating back to 2013. USF boasts a 7-1 home record with their only loss being the first time the two programs met. Since 2018, Sioux Falls has swept Crookston seven consecutive times and haven't lost more than one set since 2014, which was the only time the Cougars escaped with a 3-2 win.
- MSU Moorhead: USF is 12-3 against MSUM with a 6-1 home record. The Cougars have been 8-0 against the Dragons since 2017 with their only losses coming in 2012, 2013, & 2016.
How to Follow
Live Video: Available via the NSIC Network
Live Stats: Accessible through USFCougars.com.
