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MARSHALL, MINN.:  The No. 5-ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team hits the road this weekend for a pair of conference matches when the Mustangs travel to St. Cloud State and Concordia St. Paul.  SMSU meets up with the Huskies on Friday at 7 p.m. and the Golden Bears on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Conference time:  The Mustangs are 9-1 in NSIC play after picking up conference wins against Winona State and Upper Iowa last weekend.  That puts SMSU in sole possession of second place in the NSIC heading into this weekend's matches against St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul.

Husky hunting:  SMSU is looking to move its winning streak against St. Cloud State to six matches on Friday.  In the last five meetings between the Mustangs and the Huskies, SMSU has only given up one set; the last time St. Cloud State came out on top was back in 2004, defeating the Mustangs 3-1.

Revenge: In the midst of a seven-match winning streak, SMSU is hoping for a bit of revenge against the team it last lost to.  The Mustangs' most recent defeat was at the hands of Concordia-St. Paul on Sept. 23, and a win against the Golden Bears this season would even this season's series with the No. 1-ranked team at 1-1.

Teamwork:  SMSU is the NSIC's top team when it comes to kills as the Mustangs have compiled 567 (14.92/set) in conference matches this season.   SMSU is also third in the conference in assists with 530 (13.95/set), third in service aces with 56 (1.47/set), third in digs with 662 (17.42/set), fourth in hitting percentage with .243 and fifth in blocks with 73.5 (1.93/set).

Downright efficient:  With her .377 hitting percentage average in conference matches, Kasey Loeslie (Tracy, Minn.) has emerged as one of the NSIC's most efficient hitters.  The senior middle blocker is also sixth in the NSIC in points with 138 .0 (3.94/set) and seventh in kills with 120 (3.43/set).

A setter no more:  Brittany Wenzel (Chaska, Minn.) put up solid defensive numbers for the Mustangs this past weekend as the freshman defensive specialist was in double digits in digs in both matches.  Originally brought in as a setter, her scrappy play from the back row has earned her a consistent spot in the SMSU rotation and a reputation as a defensive force to reckoned with.

Sarah and Sara:  Sarah Quiram (LeSueur, Minn.) continues to be SMSU's defensive leader from her libero position.  The senior's 171 digs (4.50/set) in conference matches puts her at fifth in the conference in the category.  While one Sarah leads the defense, the other Sara directs the offense.  Junior setter Sara Graf  (Mount Pleasant, Iowa) is fifth in the NSIC in assists with 415 (11.22/set) in conference matches.

National news:  The Mustangs are ranked No. 5 in the latest CBS College Sports/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll released Oct. 13.  The Mustangs moved up one spot from their No. 6 ranking a week ago.

How they rank: While St. Cloud State enters Friday's match unranked, Concordia-St. Paul is ranked No. 1 in the latest CBS College Sports/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll.

Best year ever:  The Mustangs are off to their best start in school history.  SMSU's 20-2 record heading into its matches against St. Cloud State and Concordia-St. Paul has trumped any start by a Mustang volleyball squad since the sport was introduced at the school in 1971.

He's back: Terry Culhane returns for his fifth year as the head coach of SMSU.  Culhane boasts a 121-37 record as the leader the Mustangs.  He's led his teams to four straight NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the regional semifinals last  year.  Culhane is assisted by Jessica Schumacher (second season), Paul Soupir (fifth season) and Mike Dalager (sixth season).


The Huskies are coached by Patricia Mickow (sixth season, 56-95) ... finished 10-21 last season ... return eight letterwinners ... currently have record of 3-15  (1-9, NSIC) and in 13th place in NSIC ... hitting .154 as a team ... offense is paced by sophomore outside hitter Ashley Sheilds, who has 148 kills (2.60) this season ... sophomore setter Jennifer Waterman directs the Husky offense and has recorded 481 assists (8.02/set) ... senior libero Andreana Pieper leads the defense with 331 digs (5.02/set) ... the Huskies lead the series between the two schools 18-11 ... inagural meeting was in 1972 ... last meeting was Oct. 2, 2007; SMSU won that match 3-0.


The Golden Bears are coached by Brady Starkey (sixth season, 187-20) ... finished 36-4 last season ... defending NCAA Division II National Champions ... currently have record of 21-1 (10-1, NSIC) and in first place in NSIC ... hitting .307 as a team ... offense boasts two players with more than 240 kills; sophomore middle  hitter Emily Palkert leads the Golden Bears with 286 kills (4.03/set), while senior outside hitter Whitney Meieroto has 242 (3.41/set) ... junior setter Maggie McNamara quarterbacks the offense and has compiled 911 assists (12.83/set) this season ... junior libero Mary Slinger is the team leader in digs with 319 (4.49) ... the Mustangs lead the series between the two schools 19-16 ... first meeting was in 1976 ... the two squads last met on Sept. 23, 2008; the Golden Bears won that meeting 3-0.