WINONA, Minn. – Fresh off a historic road trip sweep last week and an entry into the AVCA Top 25, No. 19 Winona State University returns to McCown Gymnasium for a pair of pivotal conference matches.
The Warriors host No. 15 Wayne State on Friday night at 7 p.m. and conclude the weekend against Augustana University, who had been receiving votes in the Top 25 three of the past four weeks, on Saturday at 5 p.m. All three squads enter the weekend with identical 4-2 NSIC records.
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SCOUTING WAYNE STATE: The Wildcats (13-2) are coming off a 3-2 home loss to No. 7 CSP. Prior to that Wayne State had won four straight matches while dropping only one set. Points come at a premium against the Wildcats as Wayne State leads the NSIC in opponent hitting percentage (.109) and blocks/set (2.26), and ranks third in digs/set (18.10). Offensively, the Wildcats rank fifth in the league in hitting percentage (.267) and can score from the service line with 2.24 aces/set. Jaci Brahmer ranks second in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.404) and Tarrin Beller leads the conference in blocks/set (1.31). Despite Wayne State's lead in the all-time series, Winona State has won five straight matchups, including a sweep in the last meeting.
SCOUNTING AUGIE: The Vikings (11-4) travel to No. 18 Upper Iowa on Friday before their second straight Top 25 showdown of the weekend in Winona. Augustana is on the other end of the spectrum than Wayne State when it comes to opponent hitting percentage as the Vikings are allowing a league-worst .286 clip. Augie can also score from the service line, ranking third in the NSIC in aces/set (1.81). Offensively, the Vikings are led by Maddy Guetter (3.14 kills/set) and Izzy Sommers (.311 attack percentage). Erika Bute ranks second in the league in digs/set (5.93) and Abby Benson is fifth in blocks/set (1.04). WSU has won seven straight matchups with the Vikings.
BREAK OUT THE BROOMS: Last weekend marked the first time in program history that Winona State orchestrated back-to-back road sweeps of nationally ranked opponents. The Warriors got things started with a straight set victory at No. 19 Sioux Falls and capped the historic trip with a sweep at No. 8 SMSU. WSU is 4-2 this season against teams ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA Top 25.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE: With the team's milestone sweep came plenty of individual accolades for the Warriors as Megan Flom (Offense) and Bre Maloney (Setter) were named the NSIC Players of the Week at their respective positions. Maloney averaged 12.33 assists/set and set the offense to a .296 attacking percentage in the weekend sweep. Maloney's favorite target was Flom who also earned AVCA Division II National Player of the Week recognition – becoming just the second player in program history to earn the honor (McKenna Larsen 2017). Flom totaled 28 kills (4.66 kills/set) with a .520 attacking percentage while committing just two errors. Against SMSU, she recorded a season-best 17 kills to go along with a career-best .552 hitting percentage. Flom added three aces, three digs and nine blocks over two matches. She currently ranks 10th in the NSIC in kills/set (3.45).
LET THE KIDS PLAY: Led by a mix of youthful and experienced players, Winona State currently ranks 21st in the country in hitting percentage (.255). Flom is leading the way with a .344 clip and is followed by sophomore Madison Rizner (.316). Rizner also leads the team and ranks third in the NSIC in blocks/set (1.14). Freshman Madison Larson has had an impressive start to her collegiate career, ranking second in total kills (130) and kills/set (3.02) while sophomore Paige Christopher has floored 2.40 kills/set.
NO DAYS OFF: Following this weekend's matches, Winona State concludes its homestand with another monumental matchup against No. 7 CSP. The NSIC currently has nine of its 16 teams ranked within the AVCA Top 25. WSU has six matches remaining against those opponents.
ENSHIRED: Prior to Friday's match, Lisa Dobie (2004-07) will be inducted in the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame. Dobie is the Warriors' all-time leader in assists (5,031), ranks third in aces (145) and eighth in digs (1,409). She also owns the top two single-season records for assists. Dobie was named First Team All-Conference as a senior in 2007 and was a four-time All-Academic recipient. She was named to the Academic Honor Roll four times and the Dean's List three times – exemplifying herself as a student-athlete. On the court, Dobie's 2007 team was the first in program history to earn NCAA DII regional ranking.
