MATCHUPS: Minot State will travel to Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston on Friday and Saturday, October 14 and 15. The games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.  

RECORDS: Minot State is 5-13 overall and 0-9 in NSIC play after falling in two games last week. Bemidji State is 5-13 with a 1-8 conference record this year while Minnesota Crookston is 6-11 with a 2-7 NSIC record.

COACHES CORNER: Minot State head coach Ben Kaszeta is in his second season at the front of the Beaver volleyball program. He is 8-30 overall with the Beavers and 20-74 as a head coach. Kevin Ulmer is in his first season as the head coach at Bemidji State. Previously Ulmer was at Bethel College where he led his team to a record of 88-65 from 2012-15. Lee Anderson is in his ninth season at Minnesota Crookston. In 2013, Lee led his team to a school-record 15 wins.

RANKINGS: Neither Minot State nor any of its opponents received votes in the rankings this week.  

SERIES HISTORY: The Beavers are 3-8 against Bemidji State in a series that dates back to 1987 and 10-12 against Minnesota Crookston in a series dating back to 1994.

NOTING THE MSU BEAVERS: Minot State will look for its first conference win of the season this weekend after suffering nine losses so far. The Beavers did, however challenge the No. 1 team in the country, Minnesota Duluth, last week in a three-set loss. Head coach Ben Kaszeta is confident if his team continues that level of play they will see their first win shortly.

NOTING THE BSU BEAVERS: Despite its 5-13 record, Bemidji State has been able to be competitive this season. With 11.3 kills per set the Beavers have allowed just 13. They also have out-blocked their opponents this year 186 to 156. BSU is led by senior Jessica Yost and sophomore Jessica Reega who each have landed over 200 kills so far in 2016.
 
NOTING THE GOLDEN EAGLES: Minnesota State has also outplayed what its record would suggest as they have 706 kills recorded while allowing just 683. The Golden Eagles are led offensively by junior Maggie Perrel who has recorded 195 kills this year. Defensively they are led by junior Kelci Green (34 blocks) and freshman Ali Schueler (228 digs).

ASSISTS LEADER: After head coach Ben Kaszeta changed up his team's strategy setter Kelsey Dewulf has taken over as the team leader in assists averaging more than 36 over the last three games. Dewulf now has a team-high 311 assists after leading the team last year as a freshman with 721.