MINOT, N.D.- The Minot State Beavers will look for a big upset in their home openers against big competition as they play host to the 14th ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs and the 6th ranked St. Cloud State Huskies.

The Beavers will also be looking for their first win on the season after going 0-7 at the Rosella Meier UNK Fall Classic and the CSC Tournament. The Beavers kept the Midwestern State Mustangs on the ropes at UNK but ultimately couldn't pull out the win in the 5th set. 

The young Beavers who are comprised entirely of freshman and sophomores have been led by Alex Koontz who has the most kills with 49. The Beavers also have recorded 28 service aces led by freshman Viktoria Sedova who has six to go along with 31 total blocks for the team, led by sophomore Jenna Pahlen with 15. 

The Bulldogs and the Huskies each are 8-0 to start the season after both teams going 4-0 at the CSP/SCSU Tournament against Oklahoma Baptist and Ashland who were receiving votes at the time. The Bulldogs then went on another 4-0 run at the University of Indianapolis tournament. The Bulldogs already have a player with over 100 kills; Sydney Lanoue with 102 kills already on the season, while Cianna Selbitchka follows with 92. Selbitchka also leads the Bulldogs with 22 aces on the season. Grace Daak leads the Dawgs with 38 blocks on the season followed by Sarah Paulsen with 28. 

The Huskies went on a 4-0 run down in Florida defeating receiving votes Palm Beach Atlantic along with other powerful foes in New Haven, Barton, and Lynn. The Huskies also have a leader in kills with over 100 in Kenzie Foley with 105. The Huskies have a three way tie for aces with 12 apiece in Foley, Rachel Houle, and Keely Kurschner. Phebie Rossi leads the Huskies with 32 blocks. 

The Beavers take on the Bulldogs Friday Sept. 9th at 7 p.m. while the Huskies come to town Saturday Sept. 10th for a showdown at 2 p.m. at the MSU Dome.