SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana volleyball will head back on the road this weekend, traveling to northern Minnesota for a pair of Northern Sun Conference matchups. The Vikings will take on Minnesota Duluth on Friday, and finish off the road trip with a stop in St. Cloud on Saturday.

The Vikings (5-10, 0-7 NSIC), are coming off of a tough weekend in which they lost to Winona State (3-1) on Friday, and in straight sets to Upper Iowa on Saturday. However, Augustana did have a number of bright spots over the weekend. Senior Courtney Place put together a double-double with 11 kills and 16 digs on Friday, and on Saturday, the team finished with a match-high 117 total attacks.

Defensively, the Vikings are 6th in the NSIC with 915 digs this season (16.05/set), and 10th in blocks at nearly two per set. Freshman Avery Thorson is averaging nearly 10 assists per set, which also ranks 10th in the conference.

Scouting the Opponent - Minnesota Duluth
The Bulldogs come into this match ranked 5th in the nation (DII AVCA) and standing 12-3 (6-1 NSIC). This past weekend, they picked up wins against MSU-Moorhead (3-1)  and a five-set victory over then No. 1 Northern State.

In the upset victory three Bulldogs to gather double-doubles in the contest. Kate Berg compiled 16 digs -- tying a career best -- to go along with her match-leading 22 kills. Senior outside hitter Makenzie Morgen hammered down 14 kills and amassed 22 digs while junior setter Emily Torve went off for 64 assists and 15 digs.

Leaders on the season for the Bulldogs are Makenzie Morgen with 158 kills (3.29/set), Keena Seiffert with 211 digs (4.14/set), and Emily Torve who is the current reigning setter of the week in the NSIC with 604 assists on the season.

Minnesota Duluth leads the series 33-11. The Vikings won the last meeting 3-1 in November.

Scouting the Opponent - St. Cloud State
The Huskies come into the weekend 9-4 (5-2 NSIC). This past weekend St. Cloud State fell to the then No. 1 Northern State and MSU Moorhead. The Huskies were undefeated in the NSIC prior to this past weekend.  

Leaders for the Huskies include Rachel Linsey who leads the team in kills and digs with 175 (3.8/set) and 174 (3.78/set) respectively. Setter Maddy Torve leads the team in assists with 463.

Augustana leads the series 47-21 and has won the last 11 meetings.

The Vikings take on the No. 5 Bulldogs at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 and matchup with the Huskies at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29. Follow the action at Goaugie.com/live.