WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University volleyball team - currently in the 'Receiving Votes' section of this week's AVCA poll - lines up to take on a nationally ranked opponent in a 2023 Winona State Homecoming contest. WSU will host the No.7 Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
The Warriors and Mustangs both sit in the top third of the 2023 NSIC volleyball standings and Saturday's match is pivotal to both programs as they chase postseason opportunities. Winona State beat Upper Iowa 3-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 10 while Southwest Minnesota State played at Concordia St. Paul on Thursday, Oct. 12, losing 3-1.
Winona State will be looking to end a two-match losing skid to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday; the Warriors last win over the Mustangs was at home, when WSU outlasted SMSU 3-2 on Oct. 15, 2021.
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
WINONA STATE STORYLINES
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Winona State is 14-4 overall and 6-3 in the NSIC. WSU is in the 'Receiving Votes' section of the current AVCA poll.
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WSU dropped both 2022 matchups with SMSU by 3-0 scorelines, in Marshall on Sept. 9 and in Winona on Nov. 5.
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Winona State has a 4-4 mark with Southwest Minnesota State in their last eight contests.
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Rylee Vaughn, Gianna Vollrath, Sidney Paulson and Jaci Winchell all earned All-Tournament honors during the Warriors early season contests at Northern Michigan and Wisconsin Parkside, respectively.
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WSU was picked ninth in the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Coaches Poll.
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WSU narrowly missed out on an NSIC postseason bid last fall, finishing ninth with a 12-15 overall mark and 8-12 NSIC record.
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The Warriors played their first eight matches on the road, racking up a 7-1 record.
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WSU will feature seniors Rylee Vaughn, Lydia Lange, Sidney Paulson, and Taylor Pagel this season.
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Sidney Paulson was selected as 2023 WSU's Player to Watch by the NSIC.
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Two seasons ago, the Warriors qualified for the 2021 NSIC Tournament and the 2021 NCAA Division II postseason, finishing 28-5 overall and 17-3 in league play.
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Winona State features five freshmen: Sophia Armstrong, Ashlyn Steding, Quinn Robak, Kenna Kornely, and Jayda Berg. WSU also added transfer Leah Mach, a junior from Emporia State University.
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In his tenth year at Winona State, Getzin had previous stops at Embry Riddle (AZ), Portland and Ole Miss.
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Heading into 2023, Getzin is No. 1 all-time at Winona State in winning percentage (.682) and second all-time in seasons at the school (9).
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WSU returns assistant coaches Kristine Fisch, Jackie Kiecker, and Mara Quam to the Warrior sideline this fall.
Southwest Minnesota State STORYLINES
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The Mustangs enter the match with an overall record of 14-3 overall and NSIC mark of 7-2
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Southwest Minnesota State is No. 7 in the country in the current AVCA national poll.
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SMSU played at No. 2 Concordia St. Paul on Thursday, Oct. 12
- The Mustangs Emma Van Heel is the current NSIC Defensive Player of the Week following a undefeated three-match home stand last week.
- The Mustangs rank second in the NSIC in service aces per set (1.89), opponent hitting percentage (.139), team attacks per set (37.63) and digs per set (16.85). SMSU ranks third in kills per set (14.07), assists per set (13.06), and win-loss percentage (.875).
WARRIOR NOTABLES:
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Earlier this summer, Winona State earned its 17th consecutive AVCA Team Academic Award.
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WSU's 7-1 start fell just one win short of matching the 8-0 opening run of the 2021 NCAA Tournament Warrior team.
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Gianna Vollrath is currently 9th in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.338).
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Sidney Paulson is 10th in the league in kills per set (3.31).
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Jaci Winchell is 8th in the NSIC in assists per set (10.85).
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Rylee Vaughn is 10th in the NSIC in digs-per-set (4.41).
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Paulson is 10th in total points across the league with 233.5 on the year.
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Head coach Joe Getzin coached assistant coach Jackie Kiecker when Kiecker was a student-athlete at Ole Miss.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
