Mavericks head to Kenosha for Hampton Inn Tournament

After returning from the Keweenaw Volleyball classic, the  Minnesota State Mavericks (2-2) head out for another round of tournament games. The Hampton Inn Tournament will take place in Kenosha, Wis. and games will begin at 8 a.m Friday. 

Looking back at this past weekend, Senior Dana Schindler led the team with 58 kills and 82 assists. Freshman, Brooke Bolwerk, controlled the assists with a total of 83. Senior defensive specialist and libero, Mara Quam, led the Mavericks with 82 digs on the weekend. Freshman Kiya Durant, led the team and the NSIC in blocks in the first week of action with 27.

Friday, September 10 at 8 a.m., the Minnesota State Mavericks will compete against their first oppennet, the Quincy Hawks. The Hawk’s current overall record is 1-3. As a team so far this season, Quincy University has averaged 12.2 kills per set compared to their opponents 12.6. Furthermore, the Hawks average 10.1 assists per set and 10.5 digs per set. Quincy University is led on offense by Mattie Norris who recorded 40 kills. Erica Slinde is the primary setter for the team and has 69 assists on the 2021-22 season. 

Continuing Friday, the Mavericks will also face off against the Colorado Christian Cougars at 2:45 p.m. The Cougars will be heading into this tournament with a 2-2 record. Colorado averaged 11.4 kills per set while their opponents notched 13.8. Colorado Christian has also maintained 10.4 assists per set and 10.4 digs per set. Libby Goodman leads the Cougar offense with 50 kills on the 2021-22 season. Izzy Jones is the primary setter for Colorado Chrsitian having recorded 135 assists.

Saturday, September 11 at 2:45 p.m. the Mavericks will go head to head with the Lake Superior State Lakers once again. The Mavericks recently won against them in a 3-1 game. The Larkers record coming into this tournament is 0-4. Lake Superior State has averaged 8.46 kills per set compared to its opponents 14.23. As well as averaging 8.00 assists per set and 11.31 digs per frame. Lake Superior State is led on offense by Camdyn Odykirk who recorded 29 kills. Halle Grulke, the primary setter, has recorded 51 assists. 

Following that matchup, at 7:15 p.m. the Mavericks will play their last game of the tournament against UW-Parkside. The Rangers currently hold a record of 1-3 to begin the 2021 season. The Mavericks look to redeem themselves after losing a close game to them late last week (3-2).  The Rangers have averaged 10.9 kills per set while their opponents earned 13.5. UW-Parkside also averaged 10.1 assists per set and 13.9 digs per set. Jessica Pappas leads the Rangers offense with 44 kills. Ellie Adams, setter for UW-Parkside, having recorded 71 assists.

These next few games will be crucial for the Mavericks as they begin conference matches next week.