SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Coming off a 1-1 weekend to start conference play, the Augustana volleyball team heads to Wayne, Nebraska, to take on the No. 17 Wayne State Wildcats. Although both members are in the NSIC the match will be a nonconference contest. 

The Game
After a strong showing to both the season and conference play, the Vikings will face another top-25 opponent early on in the season. The Wildcats are one of eight NSIC teams ranked in the latest AVCA DII Coaches Top-25 poll.

Wayne State (9-1, 1-1 NSIC)
The Wildcats moved up to 17th in the latest poll after going undefeated throughout nonconference play. Wayne State split a pair of matches to open its conference play, sweeping MSU Moorhead and losing to No. 8 Northern State. 

The Wildcats are led by Kelsie Cada and Tarrin Berller on the offensive side of things. Cada averages 3.23 kills per set on a .256 hitting percentage. Beller brings in 3.13 kills per set on a .480 hitting percentage as well as a team-high 43 total blocks. Rachel Walker leads the team with 10.84 assists per set while Hope Carter leads the charge with 3.58 digs per set. 

As a team, the Wildcats average 13.5 kills per set, 12.1 assists per set and 2.3 aces per set. On the defensive side, Wayne State averages 18.2 digs per set and 2.2 blocks per set. 

Augustana leads the all-time series with a 24-23-1 record. The Vikings and the Wildcats have a 9-9 record while playing in Wayne. 

The Vikings 
Augustana split its first two conference matches of the season against No. 8 Northern State and MSU Moorhead. 

Freshman Erika Bute continues to have a stellar start to her career as a Viking leading the team with 6.06 digs per set which ranks second in the NSIC. Sophomore Grace Haberland has recorded 2.67 kills per set and has been very active on the defensive side grabbing 2.86 digs per set.

Sophomore Avery Thorson continues to lead the team with 10.36 assists per set which ranks sixth in the conference.

Overall as a team, the Vikings average 13.7 kills per set, 12.6 assists per set and have recorded 73 aces this season. On defense, Augustana averages 18.6 digs per set and 1.6 blocks per set. 

One Last Thing
Both Maddy Guetter and Abby Benson are having hot starts to conference play. Benson sent back a career-high nine blocks in the loss to No. 8 Northern State and recorded six kills on the night. Benson ranks seventh in the NSIC with 29 total blocks on the season. Guetter recorded a then season-high 18 kills beating out her best of 13 earlier in the season against No. 8 Northern State. The next day against MSU Moorhead the freshman slammed home a season-high 20 kills and finished with nine digs as well. Guetter leads the team with 3.39 kills per set and 4.75 kills per set in conference play.