Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, MINN. - The No. 4-ranked Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team hosts a duo of nationally-ranked teams this weekend when No. 20 Augustana and No. 23 Wayne State travel to Marshall for a pair of conference matches.  The Mustangs take on the Vikings at 7 p.m. on Friday and the Wildcats at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Conference time:  The Mustangs are 10-2 in NSIC matches after going 1-1 last week in conference play.  That puts SMSU in sole possession of third place in the NSIC heading into this weekend's matches against Augustana and Wayne State.

Twice would be nice:  It will be the second meeting this season between SMSU and both Augustana and Wayne State this weekend.  After handing the Vikings and Wildcats 3-0 losses last month, the Mustangs are looking to get another two wins against their NSIC foes.  A victory against Augustana on Friday would put SMSU in sole possession of second place in the NSIC.

Mustang territory:  Volleyball is back at the PE Gym, a place notorious for packing the house.  Last season, SMSU ranked second in NCAA Division II in home attendance with a total of 9,220 spectators over 13 home dates.  That's an average of 709 per match.  The Mustangs' best fan turnout this season was on Sept. 23 when 1,462 showed up to watch the Mustangs take on Concordia University, St. Paul.

Closing in:  Sara Graf (Mount Pleasant, Iowa) has a good chance of reaching the 1,000-assist milestone for the season this weekend as the junior is just 45 short of the mark.  And with 3,082 career assists, she is also 97 away from moving into the No. 3 spot in the category at SMSU.  In conference matches only, Graf has compiled 498 assists (10.83/set)--good for sixth best in the NSIC.

A new look:  With several players sidelined with injuries last weekend, the Mustangs line-up took on a different look.  Sarah Quiram (LeSueur, Minn.) moved from her home at libero to outside hitter.  Brittany Wenzel (Chaska, Minn.) jumped from her back row spot in the rotation over to Quiram's libero spot.  Even setter Cara Carson (Omaha, Neb.) got in on the act, seeing her share of time in the back row.

You got served:  As a team, SMSU has served up 69 aces in conference matches--tops in the NSIC.  Graf leads the Mustangs with 20 service aces against NSIC teams.  In addition to sending over a number of unreturnable balls, the Mustangs are serving an efficient 94 percent.

The right stuff:  With 95 blocks (2.02/set) in conference matches, SMSU ranks No. 4 in the NSIC in the category.  Kasey Loeslie (Tracy, Minn.) is the team's top blocker as she has compiled 45 (1.02/set) in conference matches this season.

National news:  The Mustangs are ranked No. 4 in the latest CBS College Sports/AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll released Oct. 20.  The Mustangs moved up one spot from their No. 5 ranking a week ago.  SMSU's No. 4 ranking is tied for the highest in school history; the Mustangs were also ranked No. 4 back on Sept. 24, 2007.

How they rank: Both of SMSU's opponents this weekend have cracked the top 25 in the latest national poll.  Augustana checked in at No. 20, while Wayne State got the nod for No. 23.

Best year ever:  The Mustangs are off to their best start in school history.  SMSU's 21-3 record heading into its matches against Augustana andWayne State 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 122-38 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 Vikings are coached by Ashley Buckley (first season, 18-6) ... finished 19-11 last season ... playing first season in the NSIC ... played in the NCC last season ...  return nine letterwinners and six starters ... currently have record of 18-6 (10-1, NSIC) and in second place in NSIC (as of Oct. 21) ... No. 20 in latest national poll ... currently on eight-match winning streak ... hitting .237 as a team ... senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Cayla Schroeder leads the Vikings in kills with 281 (3.16/set) and digs with 344 (3.87/set) ... senior setter Lisa Hoegh directs the Augie offense and has recorded 1,051 assists (11.81/set) so far this season ... the Vikings  lead the series between the two schools 15-29-1 ... inaugural meeting was in 1972 ... second contest between SMSU and Augie this season ... last meeting was Sept. 12, 2008; SMSU won that match 3-0.

The Wildcats are coached by Scott Kneifl (fourth season, 98-34) ... finished 24-12 last season ... return nine letterwinners and five starters ... currently have record of 19-4 (8-3, NSIC) and in fifth place in the NSIC ... No. 23 in the latest national poll... hitting .226 as a team ... sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Hefner is the team's top hitter, checking in with 272 kills (3.36/set) so far this season ... sophomore setter Diedra Artz quarterbacks the Wildcat offense and has compiled 557 assists (10.31/set) ... senior outside hitter Meredy Dubbs leads the defense with 356 digs (4.40/set) ... WSC leads the series between the two schools 19-17-1 ... first meeting was in 1980 ... second contest between SMSU and WSC this season ...  last played on Sept. 16, 2008, SMSU won that match 3-0.