WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State volleyball team returns home to McCown Gymnasium this weekend looking to snap its current four-match losing streak with just three weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Warriors host Minnesota Crookston on Friday night at 6 p.m. and close their second-to-last homestand on Saturday against Bemidji State at 4 p.m.
WSU is mired in its first four-match skid since 2013, which is also the last time the Warriors dropped five in a row. Winona State is 3-1 over its last four home matches, including a win over then-No. 18 Wayne State and a tough 3-2 loss to then-No. 2 Northern State.
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PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Warriors find themselves in an unfamiliar position entering the weekend – on the outside looking into the current playoff field. Winona State has two teams in front of it for the eighth and final playoff spot, but both teams own tie-breakers over the Warriors. WSU hasn't missed the conference tournament in the ultra-competitive NSIC since 2013.
ROLLERCOASTER RIDE: Winona State got off to a slow start this season at 3-8 before a straight-set sweep at then-No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State looked to jump-start the Warriors in mid-September. With that victory, WSU would go on to win six of seven matches, including a five-match winning streak. That streak was halted in a 3-2 loss to the nationally-ranked Northern State Wolves, but the Warriors finally appeared to have turned the corner. However, since that loss to NSU, Winona State has been swept in three straight matches entering this weekend.
SCOUTING CROOKSTON: The Golden Eagles (4-18, 2-12 NSIC) have dropped two straight and six of their last seven entering Friday's match. Crookston's last win came in a sweep over Bemidji State. The Golden Eagles rank second-to-last in the league in team hitting percentage (.120) and allow the third-best opponent attacking percentage (.226). The Golden Eagles' 9.32 kills/set are the lowest in the NSIC this season. Deaira Gresham leads the team in kills/set (2.70) followed by Porsha Porath (2.26). Ali Schueler leads the back row with 3.63 digs/set.
SCOUTING BEMIDJI STATE: The Beavers (5-17, 2-12 NSIC) have lost eight in a row entering the weekend and travel to Upper Iowa Friday before Saturday's match in Winona. Bemidji has not won a conference game on the road this season. The Beavers also have their share of offensive struggles, ranking 13th in the NSIC in attacking percentage (.163). Bemidji does have some size at the net and is averaging 1.63 blocks/set. Maddie Filipiak leads the Beavers with 59 blocks. Anna Averkamp is averaging 2.41 kills/set and Emma Hallmann ranks sixth in the league with 32 service aces this year.
LEAVING HER MARK: Fifth-year senior Taylor Goar continues her climb up the Winona State record book in multiple categories in her final season. Goar enters the weekend ranked fifth all-time in kills (1,202), 12th in digs (1,254) and 13th in aces (106). She is one of just five players in program history, joining former teammate Danielle Rampart, to record at least 1,200 digs and 1,200 kills in her Warrior career. Goar has tallied seven double-doubles (digs/kills) this year and is averaging 3.31 kills/set over the last 10 matches.
SOPHOMORE STANDOUT: Middle blocker Megan Flom continues to lead the Warrior offense this season with 2.94 kills/set which rank 18th in the NSIC. After totaling just 17 kills in limited action as a freshman, the sophomore leads the team with 212 this year. Flom also ranks third on the team in blocks (50).
BRIGHT FUTURE: With injuries hampering Winona State early in the year, the team had to turn to a handful of newcomers to the roster who have all produced admirably. Cori Meyers leads the freshman group and ranks second on the team in kills/set (2.51) followed by Paige Christopher (2.21). Fellow rookie Madison Rizner is fourth on the team in total kills (122), ranks second in total blocks (67) and first in solo blocks (13). Hayley Dessner has seen increased playing time of late and has responded with 2.08 kills/set.
DEFENSIVE DUO: After a breakout freshman campaign, sophomore libero Becca Pagel once again leads the back row in digs/set (3.94) which rank 12th in the NSIC. Senior Sophie Wilker ranks fourth in the league in blocks/set (1.04). Wilker anchors the Warrior net defense which ranks fourth overall in the NSIC in blocks/set (2.10). This weekend's opponents in Crookston (1.38) and Bemidji (1.48) are among the league-leaders in being stuffed at the net this season.
