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RECORDS: Minot State began its 2014 season at the MSU-Billings Invitational and finished off the first day 2-0. They slipped up the following day, dropping both of their games to move their record to 2-2. Minnesota-Crookston attended the Maryville tournament and began their season 4-0. St. Cloud State began their season at the Rollins College Invite and came out of the weekend with a 3-1 record. Northern State sits at 3-1 with their only loss coming to Nebraska-Kearney. Southwest Baptist is a perfect 4-0 heading into the weekend at Northern State.

COACHES CORNER: Minot State's Travis Ward is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Beaver volleyball program. Ward has a career record of 36-58 during his tenure at Minot State. In 2013, Ward led the Beavers to 12 overall wins, doubling their win total from 2012 which was the team's first year in the NSIC. Minnesota-Crookston is led by head coach Lee Anderson. Anderson has been with the Golden Eagles since 2007. Michelle Blaeser is in her fifth year with the volleyball program at St. Cloud State University. Blaeser has compiled and overall record of 231-177 at the collegiate level and holds a 44-68 record at St. Cloud State. The Northern State Wolves are led by Brent Aldridge for the third consecutive year beginning in 2014. Aldridge was named the NSIC and South Dakota Sportswriters Association women's volleyball coach of the year in 2013. The Wolves made a trip to the NCAA Regional tournament in 2013, just the second time it's happened in school history. Caira Dortch was hired this offseason to lead the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in their 2014 campaign. Dortch previously served as the top assistant coach at Drury University and played collegiately at the University of Arkansas.

RANKINGS: Northern State comes into the week of Sept. 8 as the only ranked team competing at the Northern State Invitational this weekend. The Wolves are ranked No. 21, the same position they began the year in the preseason poll.

NOTING THE BEAVERS: Minot State snapped a six-year season opener losing streak with a 3-0 win over former Dakota Athletic Conference rival Black Hills State this past Friday at the MSU-Billings Invitational. The Beavers went on to start 2-0 for the first time in six years as well when they defeated Chadron State later Friday afternoon. After a historic start, the Beavers dropped their following two games the next day, both in five sets. The Beavers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against MSU-Billings, but the Yellow Jackets proved to be too much coming back to win the final three sets. In the final game of the invitational, the Beavers tried to play the role of comeback hero but came up just short. The Beavers went down 2-0 and managed to force a 5th set, but the U Mary Marauders prevailed in the end.

NOTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Minnesota-Crookston is coming off a perfect weekend at the Maryville University tournament to start the season. While sweeping their competition, senior outside hitter Brittany Locker earned NSIC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Looker recorded a career-high 29 kills in the final match of the tournament against Maryville University. She also recorded 20 or more kills in two other matches.

NOTING THE HUSKIES: St. Cloud State began their season this past weekend at the Rollins College tournament where they finished the weekend 3-1. The team's only loss came to Texas A&M-Kingsville in the second game of the tournament. St. Cloud forced five sets but were unable to come up victorious. The Huskies are led by Shannon Klink, who averaged three kills per set at the tournament. Brianne Stamer leads the team defensively with 61 digs on the season.

NOTING THE WOLVES: Despite the team going 3-1 this past weekend, the Wolves remain ranked the No. 21 team in NCAA Division II. Northern State's only loss this season came to No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney. The Wolves were swept in the match. Northern State possesses a well-balanced team, with five players averaging over 2.50 kills per set. Kelsey Chambers holds the highest average at 3.75 kills per set.

NOTING THE BEARCATS: Southwest Baptist swept their competition this past weekend at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Classic. The Bearcats were tested early, playing five sets against Ouachita Baptist University, but ultimately the team got it done. The team is led by Kalyn Sotomayor, who averages 3.25 kills per set.

PELO PROVIDES PUNCH: Despite just arriving at Minot State, junior Cindy Pelo (L, Idaho Falls, Idaho) has found her niche within the program. A defensive specialist, Pelo recorded a total of 52 digs at the MSU-Billings Invite.

LET IT BYRNE: Senior Emily Byrne (S, Reno, Nev.) proved to be one of the best setters at the MSU-Billings Invitational this past weekend. Her 166 assists earned her a place on the all-tournament team and helped lead the Beavers to a 2-2 start.

LUCKY NUMBER 20: Mallory Sall (Jr., OH, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) tallied 20 kills in the Beavers' first match of the year against Black Hills State. Her effort in the first match and the following three matches earned her a place on the MSU-Billings Invitational all-tournament team.

BY THE NUMBERS
6: The NSIC continues to be known as one of the best, if not the best, conference for NCAA Division II volleyball. In the Sept. 8 American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll, six teams from the NSIC sit in the top 25.

198: Minot State's Jen Dixon (Jr., OH, Brandon, Manitoba) needs 149 more kills before she becomes the Beavers' all-time leader in kills. With Dixon's current pace, she should break the record of 1,442 held by Lisa Webb by mid-season.

384: The Beavers' Emily Byrne is on the edge of breaking an all-time Minot State volleyball record as well. Byrne currently has 3,343 assists in her career as a Beaver and needs 384 more to become the Minot State all-time leader in the assists category.