Last week Against Winona State offensive struggles doomed U-Mary as 21 attack errors led to an .088 hitting percentage. In contrast, against Upper Iowa it was the Marauders defense that did them in as they hit their fifth highest percentage of the season, but they allowed the Peacocks to hit a season-high .381. U-Mary will make its final road trip of the season as it takes on Sioux Falls on Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday. For the second consecutive weekend Lauren Boldt lead U-Mary's offensive attack. With an increased workload, Boldt finished the weekend with 24 kills (4.0 kills/set) while hitting .347. Against Winona State Boldt had 12 kills and three digs and addition to a solo block. In the match with Upper Iowa the junior had two digs and two block assists to go with her 12 kills. Boldt is averaging 3.38 kills/set for the Marauders over the past two weekends.
 
This week U-Mary will be on the road for the final time this season to take on the University of Sioux Falls on Friday at 7 p.m. and Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
Game Coverage: Both games will have a live video stream as well as live statistics. The coverage for the Sioux Falls match can be found at http://bit.ly/1dQujzB. The coverage for the Southwest Minnesota match can be found at http://bit.ly/1dQuvi1.
 
The Records: Sioux Falls is 16-10 overall and has a 7-9 NSIC record. The Cougars have won three of their last four matches. Southwest Minnesota is 18-6 overall and has a 13-3 NSIC Record. The Mustangs have won three of their last four matches. U-Mary is 4-19 overall and has a 1-15 NSIC Record. The Marauders have lost their last six matches.
 
Earlier this season U-Mary fell to both USF and SMSU at home. The Marauders fell 3-1 to the Cougars despite a career night from Alexis Jacobs. Jacobs had 19 kills and hit .351 against the Cougars. U-Mary was swept by #7 SMSU at home. Paige Smith had a solid performance against the Mustangs last time out finishing with seven kills and four blocks while hitting .455.
 
History: U-Mary is 0-2 all-time against USF in NCAA play. Against Southwest, U-Mary is 0-13, with the Mustangs being ranked in the top-25 in all three meetings.
 
THE OPPONENTS
 
USF: In its first season competing as a part of the NSIC, Sioux Falls finished in 13th place with a 5-15 record in 2012. Predicted to jump up a spot to 12th per the preseason coaches poll, the Cougars are outplaying expectations as they currently sit in 8th place. Junior OH Emily Johnson has lead the Cougars offensive attack averaging 3.26 kills per/set. NSIC Player to Watch Alexa Reed has been providing Johnson with her numerous looks averaging 9.32 assists/set.  Andrea Odbert has held down the back line for the Cougars averaging 3.73 digs/set. In conference play USF has the 7th best hitting percentage at .216, but have allowed opponents to hit the 6th highest percentage at .228. The Cougars rank 3rd in the NSIC in blocks at 2.18/game, but 15th in digs at 11.94/set. USF is leading the league with 1.49 aces/set.
 
SMSU: Consistently one of the top teams in the conference and the nation, Southwest Minnesota State finished 2012 in a three-way tie for NSIC Champion. Currently ranked eight nationally, SMSU is in third place in the NSIC behind #1 Concordia-St. Paul and #3 Minnesota Duluth. First team all-conference selection Abbey Thissen is in top form and is sixth in the league in conference play with 3.82 kills/set and 8th in hitting at .333. A big reason for Thissen's success is fellow first team all-conference selection Emilee Gutzmer. Gutzmer is 4th in conference play with 12.06 assists/set. Second-team All-NSIC selection Rachel Westby anchors the Mustangs defense and is sixth in the NSIC in conference with 4.35 digs/set in NSIC play. The Mustangs are 5th in the NSIC in hitting at .236 and have allowed the 4th lowest opponents hitting percentage at .169. The Mustangs rank 10th in the conference in blocks and 11th in digs. SMSU is second in the NSIC with 1.47 service aces/set.
 
Next week U-Mary will conclude its season hosting Wayne State College and Augustana College. The Marauders will host the Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 15. The match Saturday against the Vikings will mark Senior Night for three U-Mary seniors.
 
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