SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Augustana volleyball team, after going 5-3 in the opening weeks of the season, will be opening up conference play this weekend.

Augustana starts to play in the loop, traveling to St. Cloud, Minnesota, to face No. 23 St. Cloud State Friday night, slated for a 6 p.m. start. The Vikings then head to Duluth, Minnesota, for a match against No. 16 Minnesota Duluth, Saturday, at 2 p.m. 

Fans can catch the action on GoAugie.com/Live and on the GoAugie app, presented by CellOnly, found in the app store and on Google Play.

About the Huskies

No. 23 St. Cloud State is currently 5-3 on the season and were tabbed to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

St. Cloud State is currently on a three-game losing streak coming out of the Seattle Pacific Tournament. The Huskies started the tournament winning against Western Oregon, then had losses against Central Washington, No. 24 Simon Fraser and the host, Seattle Pacific.

The Huskies started the season on a four-game win streak at the Keweenaw Tournament hosted by Michigan Technological, the victories came against UW Parkside, Northern Michigan, Michigan Technological and Lake Superior State.

The Huskies are led by Rachel Linsey with 89 kills on the season, averaging 3.42 per set. Maddy Torve leads the team with 296 assists this season, averaging 11.38 per set.

About the Bulldogs

No. 16 Duluth is currently 7-1 on the season and were tabbed to finish second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

The Bulldogs are currently on a seven-game win-streak competing in two tournaments early in the season at the Michigan Tech Tournament, going 3-1, losing to Michigan Tech and garnering wins against UW Parkside, Lake Superior State, and Northern Michigan.

Duluth most recently competed at the Parkside Hampton Inn Invitational, where the Bulldogs swept the competition besting Lake Superior State, UW Parkside, Colorado Christian and Quincy.

Duluth is led by Cianna Selbitschka with 128 kills and an average of 4.41 kills per set, and Madison Gordon leads the team with 310 assists this season averaging 10.69 per set.

About the Vikings

The Vikings are coming off a 3-1 weekend at the Northern State Volleyball Classic and are currently 5-3 on the season.

Last weekend the Vikings added three victories in the win column coming against MSU Moorhead (3-0), New Mexico Highlands (3-0) and South Dakota Mines (3-1).  

Augustana is led by Payton Rosendahl with 83 kills, averaging 2.68 per set and Avery Thorson leading the Vikings in assists with 315, averaging 10.16 per set.

One Last Thing

For the season, Augustana's offense has been better than its opponents, besting opponents in points at 536 t0 446, points per set 17.29 compared to 14.39, kills 420 to 352 and kills per set at 13.55 to 11.35.

--GoAugie.com--