MINOT, N.D.- The Minot State Beavers volleyball team opens up their conference season this weekend with a 6 p.m. Friday night road match in St. Paul, Minn., versus No. 4 ranked Concordia University-St. Paul.

The Beavers followed that up with a 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon match in Mankato, Minn., against the Mavericks of Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Minot State conclude a three-match road trip Tuesday, Sept. 21, with a 6 p.m. match in Nemzek Fieldhouse against Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Last time out
The Beavers fought to the end in Tuesday's home opener against the Golden Eagles of the University of Minnesota Crookston, falling in three sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19.

Bright spots for the Beavers
Senior 5-foot-10 setter Sophia Peterson continues to shine for the Beavers adding 18 assists Tuesday night, bringing her season total to 104 in just five matches. Six- 1 freshmen outside hitter Alexandra Koontz and 5-11 graduate student and outside hitter Roxy King were on the receiving of 16 of the 18 Peterson assists, tallying eight kills each.

Scouting Concordia-St. Paul
Minot State will have their hands full Friday night as the Bears of Concordia-St. Paul are currently the nation's No. 4 ranked volleyball team. The Bears were ranked No. 1 in last week's poll before falling in three sets last weekend to both No. 20 Metropolitan State University of Denver and No. 2 Angelo State University (Texas).

Players to watch for the Bears of Concordia-St. Paul include 5-foot-11 sophomore outside hitter Jasmine Mulvihill, who leads the team with 89 kills, 6-foot junior setter Ellie Veldman, who leads the Bears with an outstanding 268 assists, and 5-8 senior libero Tori Hanson, who leads the defense with 105 digs.

Scouting Minnesota State, Mankato
The Mavericks are coming off of a successful tournament their last time out as they posted a 3-1 record in the Parkside Hampton Inn Tournament with victories over Quincy University, Colorado Christian University, and Lake Superior State University.

Minnesota State, Mankato is led by5-7 junior outside hitter Mariah Edgington with 90 kills, senior 6-0 senior setter Dana Schindler with 139 assists, and 5-7 senior defensive specialist Mara Quam with 162 digs.

Scouting Minnesota State University Moorhead
The Dragons of Minnesota State Moorhead come in struggling, having dropped their first eight matches of the season. MSU Moorhead is led by 5- 11 junior outside hitter Amanda Carlson with 107 kills, 6-1 freshman setter Halle Erickson with 104 assists, and 5- 10 junior outside hitter Sarah Petrbok with 145 digs.

Looking ahead
Following the road trip, the Minot State Beavers return to the MSU Dome next weekend with a two-match homestand as they host Upper Iowa University on Friday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m., and an 11 a.m. Saturday morning match against No. 10 Winona State University before heading back on the road to Bismarck for a clash with conference rival the University of Mary.