Beavers return home to host Augustana and No. 8 Wayne State

The Bemidji State University volleyball team will look to snap a three-match losing skid this weekend when it hosts Augustana University and No. 8 Wayne State College (Neb.) Friday and Saturday. The Beavers (5-14, 2-9 NSIC) first host the Vikings (12-8, 5-6 NSIC) Friday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m., followed by the Wildcats (17-3, 8-3 NSIC) Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.

Head-to-Head Series
Augustana: Friday’s clash with the Vikings will be the 28th meeting between the two programs with Augustana dominating the all-time series with a 24-3 record. Augie is on a 12-match winning streak against the Beavers with Bemidji State’s last win occurring back in 2009. Since 1988, the Beavers are 1-23 against the Vikings. Bemidji State head coach Kevin Ulmer is 0-4 against the Vikings.

Wayne State: Saturday’s meeting between the Wildcats and Beavers will be the 33rd of the all-time series dating back to 1995. Wayne State dominates the all-time series record and are 30-2 against the Beavers including a 23-match winning streak dating back to 2004. The Beavers last win against the Wildcats came back in 2003, a 3-0 sweep, but the Beavers are just 1-29 against WSC since 1999. Head Coach Kevin Ulmer is 0-4 coaching against the Wildcats.

Bemidji State is 13th in the conference by hitting at a .167 efficiency and are 12th by averaging 11.27 kills per set. The Beavers’ defense is 14th in the league by allowing opponents 13.56 kills per set while opponents are hitting .234 against BSU to rank 13th.

The Beavers have a trio of hitters that have each totaled 170 or more kills this season. They are led by junior Becky Schroeder with 188 kills and a 2.85 kills per set average while senior Julie Touchett follows with 1678 kills and a 2.51 kills per set average and sophomore Haley Stolt has totaled 173 kills for a 2.44 kills per set average. Junior Anna Averkamp is third on the team with a 2.38 kills per set average after coming back recently from injury. Bemidji State’s offense is run through redshirt freshman Maddie Mackinac who has recorded 678 assists for a 9.55 assist per set average.

On defense the Beavers are led by senior Emma Hallmann who leads the team and is ninth in the conference by averaging 4.24 digs per set. At the net, Touchett leads the team with 56 blocks (18s-38a) and is 14th in the league in total blocks.