St. Cloud State
Augustana
No. 8 St. Cloud State Volleyball Readies to Open Northern Sun Play at Home
9/10/2026 9:56:00 PM | Volleyball
Huskies make home and conference debut on Friday against Augustana, play No. 2 Wayne State in top-10 tilt on Saturday
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – No. 8 St. Cloud State Volleyball (6-2 overall, 0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) is set to play its first two home and NSIC matches of the season this weekend at Halenbeck Hall in St. Cloud. The Huskies host Augustana (6-2, 0-0 NSIC) on Friday and No. 2 Wayne State (6-1, 0-0 NSIC) on Saturday with first serves set for 6 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
The matches will be streamed live on the new NSIC Network which is housed on Midco Sports Plus and requires a paid subscription*. Additionally, fans can listen to the matches on the KVSC Sports Stream (Friday) and 97.5 FM RadioX (Saturday). KVSC talent Reece Powell (play-by-play), Joey Hudson (color Friday) and Gideon Teuber (color Saturday) will have the calls. Live stats will be provided by SCSU and tickets can be purchased here.
Match 9 vs. Augustana (Halenbeck Hall // St. Cloud) / Friday, Sept. 11 / 6 p.m. / Watch ($ - NSIC Network) / Live stats / Listen (KVSC Sports Stream)
Match 10 vs. #2 Wayne State (Halenbeck Hall // St. Cloud) / Saturday, Sept. 12 / 2 p.m. / Watch ($ - NSIC Network) / Live stats / Listen (97.5 FM RadioX)
Links to each coverage option can also be found on the St. Cloud State Volleyball match day central or schedule page.
*NSIC Network (Midco Sports Plus) Quick Links
Homepage: https://midcosportsplus.com/?sport=5-nsic
Packages: https://midcosportsplus.com/packages
Support: https://sports.midco.com/support
MATCH DAY PROMOTIONS
Friday, Sept. 11 vs. Augustana
Promotions: White Out // NSIC Tournament Championship Banner Reveal // Schedule Poster Giveaway
Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. #2 Wayne State
Promotion: Youth Day // Camper Reunion // Post Match Autographs
Full 2026 Promotional Schedule
SERIES HISTORY
Augustana
The Huskies are 31-50 all-time against Augustana but are 9-1 against the Vikings in the last 10 meetings which includes an eight-match win streak that dates back to 2021. SCSU swept the team's lone matchup of 2025 in Sioux Falls at the Elmen Center. The Huskies are 7-18 all-time against Augie in St. Cloud.
Wayne State
SCSU is 16-23 all-time against Wayne State but are 6-4 in its last 10 matchups against the Wildcats. The Huskies split its 2025 matchups with WSC, dropping a regular season five-set thriller in Wayne on Oct. 11 before beating the Wildcats 3-1 in the NSIC Tournament Semifinals in St. Paul on Nov. 21. SCSU is 3-9 all-time against the Wildcats at Halenbeck Hall.
In the NSIC Tournament, then-sophomore libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) recorded 38 digs to take down the program's single match record of nearly two decades. The previous record of 37 was set by All-American Andreana Pieper on Oct. 20, 2007.
HOME SWEET HALENBECK
SCSU Volleyball has enjoyed tremendous success in the friendly confines of Halenbeck Hall, going 72-10 (.878) in its last 82 home matches, dating back to 2018. Last season, the Huskies went 13-2 (.867) in home matches.
LET'S GO POLLING // NO. 1 IN THE NATION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
The Huskies dropped seven spots in the Sept. 7 (week two) American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division II Poll, to No. 8 following a 2-2 weekend at the Buccaneer Invitational, after holding the top spot in the poll for the first time in program history a week ago.
Wayne State has held the No. 2 spot in the poll for back-to-back weeks.
Under the direction of head coach Chad Braegelmann, SCSU Volleyball has been ranked for 84 consecutive weeks (including 52 weeks in the top 10), dating back to the 2019 season. The Huskies have spent a total of 158 weeks in the AVCA top 20/25 Poll in program history, including 77 weeks in the top 10.
SCSU owns a 49-29 (.628) record in its last 78 matches against teams ranked in the AVCA Poll, dating back to 2019. During that same stretch, the Huskies are 65-31 (.677) against teams ranked/receiving votes in the poll.
SCSU in the 2026 AVCA Coaches Poll
#5 – Preseason
#1 – Week One
#8 – Week Two
LAST TIME OUT // 2-2 WEEKEND AT THE BUCCANEER INVITATIONAL
The then-No. 1 Huskies wrapped up conference play with a 2-2 weekend at the Buccaneer Invtiational, hosted by Barry in Miami Shores, Florida. SCSU swept its first two matches before dropping its final two to a pair of ranked opponents from Florida. Additionally, senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Abby Wachal (Lincoln, Neb.) was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.
Notes from the matches
MATCH FIVE (9-3-26): #1 ST. CLOUD STATE 3, LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (TEXAS) (25-17, 25-19, 25-17)
- SCSU won its inaugural match against Lubbock Christian, moving to 1-0 all-time against the Lady Chaps.
- For the first time since 2023, the Huskies opened the season 5-0.
- SCSU improved to 4-0 in neutral site matches and 4-0 in three-set matches this season.
- St. Cloud State led the match in points (60-30), kills (50-23), aces (8-3), assists (49-23) and digs (47-34). LCU led in blocks (4-2).
- Junior setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn.) recorded 37 assists, six digs and four aces. Her assists and aces led the match.
- Junior libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) tallied 15 digs and seven assists. She led the match in digs and posted 15+ digs for the fourth straight match. Her seven assists were a new single match career high.
- Senior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) contributed 12 kills (.458 hitting percentage) and nine digs. She led the match in kills and sent down 12+ for the second consecutive match.
- Wachal posted 11 kills (.333 hitting percentage) and five digs. Her 11 digs were the second most of the season.
- Senior middle blocker Hannah Bruskiewicz (Rogers, Minn.) sent down eight kills (.400 hitting percentage).
- Freshman setter Izzy Keaveny (Waconia, Minn.) tallied six digs and four assists.
MATCH SIX (9-4-26): #1 CLOUD STATE 3, CONVERSE (S.C.) 0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-22)
- SCSU won its inaugural match against Converse, moving to 1-0 all-time against the Valkyries.
- The Huskies opened a season 6-0 for the first time since 2023.
- SCSU improved to 5-0 in neutral site matches and 5-0 in three-set matches this season.
- St. Cloud State led the match in points (54-38), kills (38-26), aces (8-6), blocks (8-6), assists (37-24) and digs (53-40).
- The Huskies 53 digs were tied for the most in a three-set match this season and their eight blocks were the most in any match.
- Hamann recorded 20 digs. Her 20 digs were a match high and the single match high for a Husky in a three-set match this season. It was her 10th career match with 20+ digs and second this season.
- Wachal posted eight kills on 14 swings (.571 hitting percentage) in two sets. Her eight kills led the match.
- LaPlant tallied 19 assists, three digs and two solo blocks in two sets. Her 19 assists led the match. Her two solo blocks tied her single match career high.
- I. Keaveny posted 15 assists and four aces. She led the match in aces and tied the single match high for SCSU this season. Her 15 assists and four aces were both new career highs.
- Freshman defensive specialist Clara Keaveny (Waconia, Minn.) recorded career highs in digs (10) and aces (two).
- Junior outside hitter/opposite Carlie Willis (Grundy Center, Iowa) sent down six kills in two sets.
- Kimm posted seven digs and five kills.
- Freshmen middle blocker Alexis Heinle (Bismarck, N.D.) tallied five kills on seven swings (career-high .714 hitting percentage) and a career-high four digs in two sets.
- Sophomore outside hitter Emery Thury (Watertown, S.D.) contributed five kills in two sets.
MATCH SEVEN (9-4-26): #13 BARRY (FLA.) 3, #1 ST. CLOUD STATE 2 (25-21, 25-22, 19-25, 26-28, 18-16)
- SCSU moved to 0-3 all-time against Barry and 0-2 against the Buccaneers in Miami Shores.
- The Huskies moved to 0-1 against teams ranked/receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) DII National Poll this season, 1-1 on the road and 1-1 in five set matches.
- St. Cloud State led the match in points (88-86), kills (73-64), aces (8-6), assists (72-62) and digs (71-62). The Bucs led in blocks (16-7).
- LaPlant recorded a 47-assist, 12-dig double-double with three aces. She led the match in assists and tied for the lead in aces. Her double-double was the 12th of her career and her second this season. Her 47 assists were a new season high and the most of any Husky in a match this season.
- Kimm posted a 17-dig, 16-kill double double while hitting .324. Her 17 digs were a match high. It was her 22nd career double-double and third of the season.
- Willis sent down a team-high 19 kills (.417 hitting percentage)
- Wachal contributed a 17-kill, 10-dig double-double. She recorded her first double-double of the season and the 10th of her career.
- I. Keaveny posted 13-assist, 10-dig double-double. She posted her first-ever double-double and her 10 digs were a new career high.
- Bruskiewicz tallied 11 kills, four block assists and one solo block. Her five total blocks tied the team high this season. It was her third match this season with 10+ kills.
- Sophomore middle blocker Kendall Huhnerkoch (Redwood Falls, Minn.) tallied a career-high seven kills in three sets.
- Hamann recorded 13 digs and five assists.
MATCH EIGHT (9-5-26): #21 LYNN (FLA.) 3, #1 ST. CLOUD STATE 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-20)
- SCSU moved to 1-1 all-time against Lynn and 1-1 against the Fighting Knights at a neutral site.
- The Huskies moved to 0-2 against teams ranked/receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) DII National Poll this season, 5-1 in neutral site matches and 5-1 in three set matches.
- St. Cloud State led the match in blocks (7-6), while the Knights led in points (52-46), kills (40-34), aces (6-5), assists (36-34) and digs (52-47).
- Kimm recorded 10 digs and nine kills. She posted double-digit digs for the fourth time this season.
- LaPlant tallied 20 assists and six digs in two sets.
- Hamann posted 13 digs. She continued her streak of matches with 13+ digs to 11 games dating back to last season.
- Wachal recorded 10 kills and six digs
- I. Keaveny posted nine assists and three aces. Her three aces led the Huskies and were tied for the match high.
- Willis tallied eight kills and a career high three block assists.
- Bruskiewicz produced two solo blocks and two block assists. Her four total blocks were the most by a Husky and tied for the match high.
ALL-TOURNAMENT HUSKIES
UP North Tournament (Aug. 27-28 // Northern Michigan // Marquette, Mich. // Vandament Arena)
- Senior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa)
- Junior libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.)
Buccaneer Invitational (Sept. 3-5 // Barry // Miami Shores, Fla. // Health & Sports Center)
- Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Abby Wachal (Lincoln, Neb.)
NCAA (TOP 30) / NSIC (TOP 3) TEAM STATISTICAL RANKINGS
(as of 9/9)
- NCAA
- No. 3 – assists/set (14.14)
- No. 8 – kills/set (14.57)
- No. 22 – assists (396)
- NSIC
- No. 1 – assists/set (14.14)
- No. 3 – kills/set (14.57)
NCAA (TOP 50) / NSIC (TOP 10) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
(as of 9/9)
- Junior libero Laurin Hamann
- NCAA
- No. 49 – digs/set (4.68)
- NSIC
- No. 2 – digs/set (4.68)
- No. 3 – digs (131)
- NCAA
- Senior outside hitter Shelby Kimm
- NSIC
- No. 7 – kills/set (3.28)
- No. 8 – digs/set (3.60)
- No. 9 – digs (90)
- No. 10 – attacks/set (8.36)
- NSIC
- Junior setter Braya LaPlant
- NCAA
- No. 6 – assists/set (10.88)
- No. 47 – assists (261)
- NSIC
- No. 3 – assists/set (10.88)
- No. 7 – assists (261)
- NCAA
- Junior outside hitter/opposite Carlie Willis
- NCAA
- No. 40 – hitting percentage (.407)
- NSIC
- No. 6 – hitting percentage (.407)
- NCAA
2026 TICKETS
The 2026 Huskies Volleyball Season Ticket Package can be purchased for $60/seat at SCSUTickets.com or by calling 320-308-2137. The package includes a general admission ticket to each of the 11 regular season home matches. Additionally, single match tickets are available for purchase.
BUY SEASON TICKETS | BUY SINGLE MATCH TICKETS | SEASON TICKET RELEASE
SEASON PREVIEW
SCSU was picked to finish third in the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Aug. 5. Additionally, reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American, senior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) was named the Huskies 'Player to Watch'.
NSIC RELEASE
The Huskies (3rd, 199 points, two first place votes), who earned a top-four preseason ranking for the sixth consecutive season, were preceded in the poll by Concordia-St. Paul (1st, 220 points, 11 first place votes) and Wayne State (2nd, 207 points, three first place votes) and followed by Southwest Minnesota State (4th, 177 points) and Sioux Falls (5th, 158 points) who round out the top five. It was also the fifth time in the last six years that SCSU received first place votes.
Last season, SCSU finished third in the Northern Sun regular season standings before going on to win its second consecutive conference tournament championship and fourth in the last five seasons after taking down the No. 13, No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country.
With the graduation of six players from last year's roster, it has been extremely fun to watch new leaders grow and develop, said head coach Chad Braegelmann. There will be opportunities for younger players to get out on the floor, to showcase the improvement that they made over the spring and summer, and it will be fun to see this team form their own identity again, as we hope to make another fun postseason run.
Braegelmann, who is entering year 12 as the Huskies head coach and year 26 as a collegiate head coach in 2026, is approaching 500 career wins. He owns an overall record of 492-273 (.643) and an impressive 207-102 (.670) record at SCSU which includes a 125-71 (.638) mark in conference play.
Last season, Braegelmann led SCSU to a 28-7 (18-2 NSIC) record which included the program's sixth consecutive (11th overall) NCAA Tournament berth and second straight (fourth overall) trip to an NCAA region championship match after beating No. 17 Missouri Western and No. 2 and tournament host, Nebraska Kearney, on their home court. Last season the Huskies also tied the program record for NCAA Tournament wins in a season (two), were ranked inside the top 16 of every AVCA Poll (including tying the program record final ranking of No. 5) and earned wins over 13 ranked opponents including four against top five teams.
On the court, the Huskies return four starters from last year's team, headlined by a pair of AVCA Second Team All-Americans – Kimm and junior setter Braya LaPlant (Grand Rapids, Minn.).
In her breakout junior season in 2025, Kimm not only earned the first all-America recognition of her career but also the first all-region and all-conference honors after averaging 3.88 points, 3.47 digs, 3.40 kills and 0.46 blocks per set throughout the season.
The North Liberty, Iowa native was named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team, the Division-II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Central Region Second Team and the All-NSIC First Team. Kimm was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team for the first time and became a back-to-back NSIC All-Tournament Team selection.
Shelby has been one of the most improved players to come through our program in recent history, said Braegelmann. Her growth and maturation as a volleyball player have been very impressive to watch and work with. She enjoys the game of volleyball, she loves the process of getting better and she is a volleyball weapon in the front row back row and service line.
LaPlant flourished in 2025 after becoming the team's full-time setter early in the season, and like Kimm earned the first national, regional and conference awards of her career. For the season, she averaged 11.69 assists, 2.21 digs, 1.23 points, 0.62 kills and 0.49 blocks per set.
The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native was named to the AVCA All-Central Region First Team, the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team and the All-NSIC First Team. She was also named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team and the NSIC All-Tournament Team and became just the fifth player in program history to be named AVCA DII Player of the Week. LaPlant's 1,309 assists in 2025 rank No. 8 on the program's single season top 10 list and she produced three of the top five single match assist performances. Her .329 career hitting percentage also ranks No. 6 all-time on the program leaderboard.
SCSU also returns junior libero/defensive specialist Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) and senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Abby Wachal (Lincoln, Neb.) who were regular starters for the Huskies in 2025.
In her first season as the libero, Hamann posted the fourth most single season digs (589) in program history and set the single match record for digs, with 38, in a 3-1 NSIC Tournament Semifinals win over No. 2 Wayne State on Nov. 21, breaking Andreanna Pieper's record of 37 from Oct. 20, 2007. She also led the team in aces, with 48. Wachal, who was coming off a redshirt season, recorded nine kill-dig double-doubles throughout the season and was named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team.
Junior outside hitter/opposite Carlie Willis (Grundy Center, Iowa) is the final returner who played in 100+ sets in 2025, meanwhile senior middle blocker Hannah Bruskiewicz (Rogers, Minn.) looks to return to the lineup after being hampered by injury in 2025. In 2024, she was a Second Team All-NSIC Selection and an NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team member. The Rogers, Minnesota native owns top 10 marks in career hitting percentage (No. 8, .305) and single season hitting percentage (No. 10, .354, 2024).
WELCOME TO THE PACK
The Huskies welcomed seven newcomers to the roster during the offseason, including one transfer – junior middle blocker Abby Leaf (Ramsey, Minn. / Anoka HS / Washburn) and six freshman who will begin their collegiate careers at St. Cloud State in 2026 – middle blocker Alexis Heinle (Bismarck, N.D. / Century HS), libero/defensive specialist Clara Keaveny (Waconia, Minn. / Mayer Lutheran HS), setter Izzy Keaveny (Waconia, Minn. / Mayer Lutheran HS), opposite/outside hitter Keira Nagle (Minneapolis / Academy of Holy Angels), middle blocker Brynn Panek (Avon, Minn. / Albany HS) and opposite/outside hitter Audrey Rydell (Fargo, N.D. / North HS).
RECORD BOOK CHECK
After another historic season in 2025, many updates have been made to the record book. Click the link below to access the updated version.
Updated Record Book
A LOOK BACK AT 2025
The Huskies are coming off another historic season in 2025 in which they:
- Advanced to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament/11th in program history
- Advanced to their second consecutive/fourth overall NCAA region championship in program history (also third in last four seasons).
- En route to the region championship, the Huskies beat the No. 17 team in the nation before taking down the No. 2 team and tournament host, Nebraska Kearney, on their home court.
- Tied the program record for NCAA Tournament wins in a season (two – 4x; 1995, 2022, 2024, 2025)
- Won their second consecutive/fourth overall NSIC Tournament championship (all in last five years) after taking down the No. 13, No. 2 and No. 5 teams in the country
- Were ranked inside the top 16 of the AVCA Poll every week and finished the season ranked No. 5 for the second straight season (third time ever)
- Earned wins over 13 ranked opponents including four against top five teams
- Had three AVCA Second Team All-Americans
- Had three All-Central Region performers (AVCA – 3x first team; D2CCA – 1x first team, 2x second team)
- Earned one AVCA DII National weekly honor
- Had four NCAA Central Regional All-Tournament Team selections
- Had four NSIC All-Tournament Team selections
- Had a player earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award for the first time in program history (10th Husky overall)
- Had four All-NSIC performers (3x first team, 1x second team)
- Earned two NSIC weekly awards
- Had one College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® selection (fourth in program history)
- Had four CSC Academic All-District® selections
- Had 10 NSIC All-Academic Team selections (nine also named to All-Academic Team of Excellence)
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
