WINONA, Minn. – Last week the Warriors went 5-0 and moved up the #13 in the latest AVCA poll, their highest in school history. This weekend the Warriors (5-0) will be in Sioux Falls to take part in the Pentagon Tournament. Winona State will take on Southern Indiana, Chadron State and #22 Augustana.
The match with Augustana will be a non-conference match-up.
Winona State has not lost to either Southern Indiana nor Chadron State, playing just three matches. It will be just the second meeting all-time with Southern Indiana in school history. The meeting with Augustana will be the 27th all-time match-up.
MOVING ON UP: After week one Winona State finds themselves ranked #13 by the AVCA. It is the highest ranking in school history, surpassing the #17 ranking they reached last season.
The Warriors are not the only team in the NSIC in the national poll. A total of seven teams are ranked this week, with an eighth team receiving votes.
THE BAND IS BACK TOGETHER: Winona State returns everyone back from a team that reached the NSIC Championship a year ago.
Taylor Goar led everyone with 58 kills, averaging 4.14 kills per set last week.
Lauren Kudronowicz was a two-way force with 3.00 kills per set, two solo blocks and 15 blocking assists.
McKenna Larsen averaged 12.07 assists per set.
Danielle Rampart had 2.71 kills per set, five aces, 3.47 digs and ten block assists.
HAD A RECORD YEAR: Last year the team averaged 14.47 kills per set, the second most in school history. Their .252 attack percentage was the highest in team history, besting the 2014 mark by .031 percent.
During the opening weekend the Warriors hit .259 and averaged 14.71 kills per set. The team hit over .290 in three of the five matches, including a .292 attacking clip against #8 Ferris State.
SERVING TOUGH: Last week the Warriors held a 29-9 advantage in serving aces, averaging 1.71 aces per set.
TAKIN' EM DOWN: In 2015 the team had six wins over ranked opponents, including four straight leading up to the NSIC Championship. During that streak the Warriors beat the number four ranked team in the nation twice. Four of the six wins over ranked opponents came against teams ranked in the top-five.
Last week the trend continued, besting #8 Ferris State during the opening weekend.
On September 15 Winona State will return home to play Minnesota State at 7 p.m.
