WINONA, Wis.. - The Winona State University volleyball team - currently in the 'Receiving Votes' category of the 2023 AVCA DII Coaches Poll - opens up their home slate and the 2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) schedule hosting the University of Sioux Falls this evening.
The Warriors and Cougars have first serve set for 6 p.m. in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
Winona State enters play tonight with an impressive 7-1 record and will now begin the trek to the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Tournament . Head coach
Joe Getzin and the Warriors compete in one of the most competitive NCAA Division II volleyball leagues in the country, and WSU has fared well in the first two road tournaments of the year.
GAME & FAN INFORMATION
- Live stats and live video are available at the links above.
- Tonight's contest will occur in McCown Gymnasium, home of WNB Financial Court.
WINONA STATE STORYLINES
- Winona State opens play today as one of six NSIC featured in the 2023 AVCA Coaches Poll weekly ranking.
- Rylee Vaughn and Gianna Vollrath were both named to the 2023 Full Hampton Inn Invitational All-Tournament team last weekend.
- Sidney Paulson and Jaci Winchell were both named to the 2023 Northern Michigan University U.P. Open All-Tournament team following the Warriors opening weekend.
- WSU was picked ninth in the 2023 NSIC Volleyball Coaches Poll.
- WSU narrowly missed out on an NSIC postseason bid last fall, finishing ninth with a 12-15 overall mark and 8-12 NSIC record.
- The Warriors played their first eight matches on the road, racking up a 7-1 record.
- WSU will feature seniors Rylee Vaughn, Lydia Lange, Sidney Paulson, and Taylor Pagel this season.
- Sidney Paulson was selected as 2023 WSU's Player to Watch by the NSIC.
- 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.
- 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.
- Head coach Joe Getzin heads into tonight with a 362-335 (.519) career record accrued over 24 seasons.
- In his tenth year at Winona State, Getzin had previous stops at Embry Riddle (AZ), Portland and Ole Miss.
- 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).
- WSU returns assistant coaches Kristine Fisch, Jackie Kiecker, and Mara Quam to the Warrior sideline this fall.
University of Sioux Falls STORYLINES
- USF enters play tonight at 4-4 overall.
- Like the Warriors, the Cougars will open their 2023 NSIC schedule this evening.
- The University of Sioux Falls has won three of their last four matches.
- The Cougars have played three nationally ranked teams this season, going 1-2 so far.
- The University of Sioux Falls lost to #13 Northwest Missouri, #14 Colorado Mesa and beat (RV) Dallas Baptist.
- The USF roster features 15 players, including three seniors this season.
- Dan Matthews enters his thrid season as head coach at USF.
WARRIOR NOTABLES:
- Earlier this summer, Winona State earned its 17th consecutive AVCA Team Academic Award.
- WSU's 7-1 start fell just one win short of matching the 8-0 opening run of the 2021 NCAA Tournament Warrior team.
- Gianna Vollrath heads into the match fifth in the NSIC in hitting percentage (.366).
- Sidney Paulson is fifth in the league in kills per set (3.67).
- Jaci Winchell is seventh in the NSIC in assists per set (9.74).
- Rylee Vaughn is seventh in the NSIC in digs-per-set (4.41).
- Paulson is also fouth in total points across the league with 132.5 on the year.
- 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.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
