WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University volleyball team will face their second nationally-ranked opponent in four days when the Warriors host St. Cloud State University on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.
WSU will host the Huskies in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court with an upset opportunity, as SCSU enters the contest ranked within the AVCA Top 20 in the country and winners of two straight.
Winona State fell 3-1 to Minnesota Duluth this past Wednesday and will be looking to snap a six-match losing skid against St. Cloud State.
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
WINONA STATE STORYLINES
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Winona State is 16-6 overall and 8-5 in the NSIC.
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WSU last defeated St. Cloud State 3-0 in Winona on Oct. 14, 2017.
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Winona State faced SCSU in the 2021 NSIC Tournament title game.
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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.
St. Cloud State STORYLINES
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The Huskies enter the match with an overall record of 16-6 overall and NSIC mark of 9-4.
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SCSU has been ranked as high as No. 6 in the country this season.
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St. Cloud State last lost on Saturday, Oct. 14, falling 3-1 to Bemidji State on the road.
- SCSU standouts Kenzie Foley and Emma Berran are the current NSIC Offensive Player and NSIC Setter of the Week, respectively.
- Foley led the NSIC in kills per set last week at 5.14.
- Berran led the league with a 12.71 assist per set mark, dishing out 48 helpers vs. Minnesota State.
- SCSU has had back-to-back losses twice this season; falling to UMD & BSU last weekend, as well as Central Washington and CSP in September.
- Head coach Chad Braegelmann has been the coach at St. Cloud State for the past nine seasons.
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 7th in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.347).
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Sidney Paulson is 10th in the league in kills per set (3.41).
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Jaci Winchell is 8th in the NSIC in assists per set (9.78).
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Rylee Vaughn is 8th in the NSIC in digs-per-set (4.56).
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Kylie Welch is leading the NSIC in total service aces with 39.
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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.
