THE FIRST SERVE
The No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team returns to the friendly confines of the PE Gym for a 3-match homestand that starts on Friday with a matchup with Minot State. SMSU will battle U-Mary on Saturday afternoon before taking on Augustana to close-out the 2013 home season schedule on Tuesday night. Head coach
Terry Culhane is one win away from passing Jeri Madden's mark of 254 wins and gain sole possession of second place on SMSU's all-time wins list. Jeri Madden (1971-85), SMSU's first head coach in program history, finished her coaching career with an overall record of 254-204. Culhane is 254-69 and has averaged just over 24 wins per season during his 10 years at the helm.
SCOUTING REPORT
MINOT STATE -- The Beavers enter their second season in the NSIC and carry with them a 12-14 overall record and 7-9 record within the conference. With just five matches to play, the Beavers are in the hunt for their NSIC tournament bid. Minot State ranks second in the Northern Sun with 152 service aces on the season and is led by Mallory Sall and Jenn Dixon. In her last five matches, Sall has recorded 10 or more kills. Sall has hit the double-digit mark in 17 of 26 matches in 2013 and has recorded a total of 292 kills on the year. Dixon has 333 kills and 299 digs through 26 matches and is one of two players in the NSIC to lead their respective team in kills and digs (WSU's Bekah Saugen). Minot State head coach Travis Ward is in his third season at the front of the Beaver volleyball program. Ward has a career record of 36-54 during his tenure at Minot State.
U-MARY -- U-Mary entered the weekend with an overall record of 4-19 and 1-15 in the NSIC. The last-place Marauders have struggled this season under fourth-year head coach Steve Novacek as the Marauders are allowing opponents to hit at a .248 clip, while only converting on .144 percent of their own attacks. U-Mary is led by Alexis Jacobs and her 222 kills. Jacobs is averaging 2.85 kills per set and a .144 hitting percentage. SMSU leads the all-time series 11-0 -- sweeping the Marauders in all 11 matches dating back to the 2006 season.
LAST WEEK'S RECAP
No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State split matches this weekend as the Mustangs defeated St. Cloud State in straight sets before falling in straight sets to No. 3 Minnesota Duluth. The Mustangs defeated St. Cloud State by scores of 25-15, 25-23, 25-23. With the win,
Terry Culhane secured his 254th career win which ties Jeri Madden's mark for second most in SMSU all-time history. The win was SMSU's 13th straight over the Huskies as the Mustangs haven't suffered a loss at the hands of SCSU since Nov. 9, 2004.
The loss to UMD on Saturday moved the Mustangs to 18-6 overall, 13-3 in the NSIC, while the Bulldogs improved to 24-2 overall, 14-2 in the NSIC. The loss snapped SMSU's three-match winning streak over UMD dating back to the 2011 season. SMSU was unable to slow down the high-octane offense of UMD as the Bulldogs finished the match with a. 345 hitting percentage. SMSU's offense could not keep up as the Mustangs were held to a .115 hitting efficiency.
For SMSU it was
Abbey Thissen who led the way with 10 kills on 20 attacks. SMSU managed just one block in the match while UMD mustered up 11 -- three solo, 16 block assists.
THE HEAD COACH
Terry Culhane enters his 10th season at the helm of the Mustang volleyball team. During his tenure Culhane has directed the Mustangs to an overall record of 254-69, including 145-33 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches. During that timespan, Culhane has directed SMSU to nine NCAA tournament appearances, including six appearances in the region semifinals and one championship appearance. He began the 2013 season among the winningest active coaches in NCAA Division II. In 2012, Culhane was named NSIC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, he also captured his first career NSIC regular season title and NSIC Tournament title. On Nov. 1, Culhane recorded his 254th career win to tie Jeri Madden's mark set from 1971 to 1985. Culhane is one win away from moving into second place on SMSU's all-time wins list.
