SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The 15th-ranked Augustana volleyball team climbed back inside the top-15 nationally this week after picking up another win in NSIC conference play over the weekend. The 15th-ranked Vikings defeated Minnesota State Mankato, on the road, in four sets on Friday but dropped a tough battle at #3 Concordia-St. Paul in four sets last Saturday.

The schedule for Augustana doesn't get any easier as the Vikings return home this weekend. Winona State, ranked 17th nationally, travels to the Elmen Center to take on the Vikings this Friday night at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Augustana hosts Upper Iowa - who's currently receiving votes in the AVCA poll - at 2 p.m.

Augustana (17-6, 8-5 NSIC) has won eight of-their-last nine conference matches and lead the NSIC with 1,192 kills. The Vikings are second in the conference in service aces, digs and assists. So far in 2017, Augustana is hitting at a 0.237 clip and allowing opponents to hit just 0.175. Both marks rank sixth in the NSIC

Junior outside hitter Courtney Place, who knocked down a career-high 24 kills last Saturday vs. the Golden Bears, is ranked third in the conference with 320 kills. Alex Banker, a senior setter from Omaha, Neb., is fifth nationally and second in the NSIC with 969 assists.

The Vikings all-time digs leader, Tahlyr Banks, has added 425 digs this season, a number that ranks second in the conference.

The Warriors (14-7, 8-5 NSIC) dropped two matches over the weekend, a five-set match to #2 Southwest Minnesota State and a four-setter to Sioux Falls. Winona State, which is 6-0 on the road this season, is led by senior outside hitter Danielle Rampart who has 272 kills which ranks sixth in the NSIC. Rampart leads the Warriors in attacks, and is third on the team in hitting percentage (0.254.)

Winona State has a hitting percentage of (0.253) on the year and is allowing opponents to hit (0.192.)

The Peacocks (17-5, 8-5 NSIC) swept Sioux Falls last Friday and dropped a four set match to #2 SMSU on Saturday. Upper Iowa ranks atop of the NSIC in four different categories (digs per set [19.19], opponent hitting percentage [0.155], team attacks per set [39.56], and team digs [1,478])

Sophomore outside hitter Anna Winter leads the peacocks with 241 kills. Senior libero Ashley Larson ranks sixth in the conference with 377 digs. Junior middle blocker Bethany Lovhang leads the NSIC with 100 total blocks.

Augustana holds a (21-9) advantage over Winona State, however the Warriors has taken the last four matches dating back to 2015.

The Vikings are (11-2) all time vs. Upper Iowa. Augustana hasn't lost to the Peacocks since 2012 and are currently on a five-match win streak.