This Week in Peacock Volleyball...

The Peacocks look to snap a five-match losing streak this week with a trio of matches scheduled including a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches against ranked opponents on the road this weekend.

On Tuesday, Upper Iowa plays their final non-conference match of the 2010 season when Ashford University visits Dorman Gym in Fayette for a 7 p.m. showdown.

The Peacocks then hit the road this Friday and Saturday when they visit southern Minnesota for a pair of league matches.  Upper Iowa visits the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn. for a 7 p.m. clash with the #14-ranked Mavericks of Minnesota State University.

Then on Saturday, the Peacocks make the short drive from Mankato to Marshall, Minn. to entertain the #6-ranked Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State.  The first serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.

 
Scouting the Saints

The Saints of Ashford University enter Tuesday’s match with a 25-12 record in 2010.  The NAIA affiliate located in Clinton, Iowa plays in the Midwest Collegiate Conference where they are 3-3 in league play.  The Saints have lost two straight matches.

Scouting the #14 Mavericks

Minnesota State University holds a 14-5 overall record and a 6-5 NSIC mark.  The Mavericks won their last time out when they travelled to St. Cloud, Minn. last Saturday afternoon and defeated the Huskies, 3-1.

The Mavericks are winners of four of their last six matches and currently sit in a tie for seventh in the NSIC standings.

MSU’s high powered offense is second in the league in hitting percentage (.278 per match), fourth in kills and first in service aces.

Scouting the #6 Mustangs

The Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State are the most likely candidates for surprise NSIC team of the year.  The Mustangs enter Tuesday’s match at Augustana with a 17-3 overall record and a 9-2 league mark. 

Prior to Saturday’s loss at Concordia-St. Paul, the Mustangs had won seven matches in a row dating back to a September 24 loss at Minnesota Duluth.

Series History

Since Upper Iowa transitioned to NCAA Division II, the Peacocks are 4-0 against Ashford University.  However, the Peacocks have never defeated Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State.  UIU is 0-16 combined versus these two teams.

The Last Meeting

Upper Iowa met all three of the teams they play this week last season.  The Peacocks defeated Ashford 3-0 in Fayette on September 1 while dropping both matchups with Minnesota State, 3-0 and 3-1, and the one battle with Southwest Minnesota State, 3-1. 

Aces Wild

The Peacocks rank fourth in the NSIC in service aces with 1.44 per set.  Upper Iowa ranks only behind Minnesota State, Wayne State and Northern State in this category.

Junior Sara Vance leads the NSIC in service aces with just over a half-ace per set (.51).