MINOT, N.D. -- The Minot State volleyball team opens the home portion of the 2018 season against No. 3 Northern State on Saturday (Sept. 8) at 2 p.m. in the Minot State Dome.

The Beavers, who are 5-4 overall, are above .500 the latest into the season in the NCAA Division II era. The Beavers opened Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Thursday and dropped a 25-20, 25-16, 25-19 decision to Minnesota State Moorhead despite 18 kills from Shelby Spuller.

Spuller currently leads the Beavers with 125 kills and is averaging 3.68 kills per set. She also leads the Beavers with 10 service aces and is third on the squad averaging 0.47 blocks per set.

Emily Falldorf leads Minot State averaging 0.85 blocks per set and ranks second on the team averaging 1.91 kills per set. Hayley Swain tops the team with a .301 attack percentage and is second on the team averaging 0.59 blocks per set.

Kelsey Dewulf is averaging 9.50 assists per set and 1.79 digs per set, while Karli Koza leads the Beavers averaging 4.76 digs per set and has reached double figures in digs in all nine matches.

Northern State enters the match with a 9-0 overall record and opened NSIC play with a 3-0 victory over Mary. Hailey Busch leads the Wolves averaging 4.29 kills per set, while Jenna Reiff is averaging 3.18 kills per set.