WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University returns to McCown Gymnasium for a pair of weekend matches seeking its first home win of the 2018 campaign. The Warriors host Augustana University on Friday night at 6 p.m. followed by Wayne State College on Saturday at 4 p.m.
WSU has enjoyed a full week off for the first time since the season began a month ago. The Warriors are also finally close to 100 percent with the recent returns of Kate Masberg and Maria Wrage to the lineup from preseason injuries.
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UP & DOWN ROAD TRIP: Last weekend, the Warriors opened their two-match road trip with a decisive sweep at No. 7 SMSU. It marked Winona State's first win of the season in six tries against an opponent ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25. However, in the ever-challenging NSIC, the Warriors turned around the next night and were swept at Sioux Falls in straight sets.
SCOUTING AUGUSTANA: The Vikings (5-8, 0-5 NSIC) travel to Winona seeking their first conference win of the year. Picked sixth in the NSIC preseason poll and ranked as high as No. 22 in the AVCA poll this year, Augustana like WSU, finds itself no longer ranked in the AVCA Top 25. The Vikings are currently mired in a six-match losing-streak. Augustana is hitting .218 as a team and ranks last in the NSIC by allowing opponents a .233 clip. The Vikings' 13.66 kills/set allowed also ranks last in the league. WSU will look to slow down Courtney Place who ranks third in the NSIC in kills/set (4.46).
SCOUTING WAYNE STATE: The Wildcats (10-3, 3-2 NSIC) travel to Upper Iowa Friday prior to Saturday's tilt at Winona State. Wayne State opened the season with seven straight victories. The Wildcats rank sixth in the NSIC in team hitting percentage (.243) and are fourth in opponent hitting percentage (.148). Wayne State leads the league and ranks 12th in the country in blocks/set (2.43). Tarrin Beller has an NSIC-best 1.21 blocks/set which ranks 16th nationally. Jaci Brahmer ranks ninth in the conference with a .349 hitting percentage. Haley Kauth is sixth in the league with 4.43 digs/set.
FRONT & CENTER: Senior Taylor Goar made a surprise return to the front row last weekend and answered by flooring 26 kills over two matches. Her 19 kills at Sioux Falls were her most since November 16, 2016. In doing so, Goar increased her career total to 1,102 which is currently 10th all-time. She is now just 24 kills away from leapfrogging both Amy Kolbert (1989-92) and Kaylan Lati (2002-05) to claim sole possession of eighth-place in program history. Goar also moved into 15th place in career digs earlier this season (1,117). She is one of just seven players in program history with over 1,000 digs and kills.
YOUNG AT HEART: The freshmen trio of Paige Christopher, Cori Meyers and Madison Rizner has contributed in a big way for WSU this year. They ranked second, third and fourth, respectively, on the team in kills with a combined 247 kills which accounts for 42 percent of the team's offense. Rizner also ranks second on the team with 38 blocks. Leading the group of underclassmen is sophomore Megan Flom who has burst onto the scene this season. Flom's 152 kills rank 10th in the NSIC. Her 25-kill outing vs. Harding this year is tied for ninth-most in program history.
ACES & BLOCKS & DIGS, OH MY: Sophomore Bre Maloney leads the team in aces (12) and assists (432). Becca Pagel's 177 digs rank 11th in the NSIC. Senior Sophie Wilker has a team-best 52 blocks and ranks fourth in the league in blocks/set (1.11).
