Volleyball returns home to host Dragons, #8 Wolves

ST. CLOUD, MINN. – It feels like it's been ages since the St. Cloud State University volleyball team last played in Halenbeck Hall. After two successful weekend on the road, the Huskies return home to host MSU-Moorhead and Northern State in two key Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matches this upcoming weekend.

This is a key weekend for St. Cloud State, which was recently ranked #11 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 poll. While MSU-Moorhead is currently unranked and not receiving votes, the Dragons are on a two match win-streak thanks to two conference wins last weekend. Northern State will once again be a formidable opponent, as the Wolves enter the weekend as the #8 team in the nation and are currently riding a three match win streak.

Live stats and video will be available for St. Cloud State's return, while score updates will be made on the team's official Twitter account (@SCSUhuskies_vb).

Here are the five things to know before this weekend's NSIC matches:

1-3 – St. Cloud State is looking to exact a little revenge this weekend against MSU-Moorhead, as the Dragons handed the Huskies a devastating loss at home last season. Despite winning the first set 25-22, St. Cloud State fell to MSU-Moorhead in four sets, as the Dragons took the next three by scores of 25-23, 26-24 and 27-25. The Huskies are also looking to extend their perfect record at home this season, as they enter Friday's match with an unblemished 6-0 mark in the comforts of Halenbeck Hall.

4/5 – St. Cloud State and Northern State may be two of the most evenly matched teams in the NSIC this season, as the two have never been closer in terms of personel, playing style and statistics. Through the midway part of the season, the Wolves currently ranks fourth in the conference in assists per set (13.94), with the Huskies right on their heels in fifth (13.82). Where Northern State slightly edges St. Cloud State is in the offensive categories, as the #8 team in the nation currently leads the NSIC and Division II in team hitting percentage (.311) and ranks second/fourth in kills/set (15.06).

19.40 – Of course, the #11 Huskies are one of the top defensive teams in the country, balancing the Wolves offensive attack in the perfect fashion. While Northern State may rank toward the top in the offensive categories, St. Cloud State has been a defensive stalwart all season thanks to its 19.40 digs/set average as a team. That number currently ranks seventh in the nation and has allowed the Huskies to hold their opponents to an impressive .048 hitting percentage this season.

6.24 – Key to St. Cloud State's defensive prowess? None other than senior libero Clara Krenz (Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul). While she's already established herself as one of the top liberos in the NSIC, Krenz solidified herself as one Sof the top-5 liberos in the nation this past weekend. Thanks to 20+ dig performances against Minot State and Mary, Krenz is now averaging 6.24 digs/set, which leads the NSIC and ranks fifth amongst all active players in Division II. Additionally, the senior is just 13 digs away from passing Andreana Pieper and moving to No. 2 all-time in career digs (1886) in program history.

4.47/5.02 – In additionally to Krenz, there will be plenty of star power playing in Halenbeck Hall this weekend. Northern State outside hitter Laura Snyder is having herself a season, as she currently ranks fourth in the nation in kills/set average (4.47) and points per set, averaging an impressive 5.02 this year. Her teammate Ashley Rozell is also having a year to remember, as her 12.18 assists per set leads the NSIC and ranks fifth in Division II. St. Cloud State outside hitter Linsey Rachel (Maple Lake, Minn. / Maple Lake) is sure to be a force for the Huskies, as she currently ranks second in the NSIC in kills and kills/set average against conference opponents.

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Players Mentioned

Clara Krenz

Linsey Rachel

Saint Cloud State University Athletics