GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The UND volleyball team will open up its conference season on the road against two teams ranked in the top 25 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. On Friday night the Fighting Sioux will play #23 Minnesota State and on Saturday they will face #4 Minnesota Duluth. Minnesota State is 11-1 overall and 0-0 in the NCC. Minnesota Duluth is 12-1 overall and 0-0 in the NCC.

Minnesota State is led by a duo of hitters, Ashley Nachreiner and Amanda Beekman. Nachreiner is averaging 4.25 kills per game and Beekman is averaging 3.20 kills per game. Setter Stef Sandstrom is the quarterback of the offense and is averaging 11.18 set assists per game. Defensively, the Mavericks are led by Dana Ostertag. Ostertag is averaging 3.25 digs per game.

Minnesota Duluth is led by three-time All-American Vicky Braegelmann. Braegelmann is averaging 4.41 kills per game and is the reigning Division II AVCA Co-National Player of the Year. Setter Katie Gangelhoff is leading the offense with 13.22 set assists per game. Gangelhoff is a two-time North Central Region selection. Defensively, Crystal Hoffrogge is leading the Bulldogs. Hoffrogge is averaging 5.28 digs per game.

UND and Minnesota State will square off on Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minn. On Saturday, the Sioux and Bulldogs will face each other in an afternoon contest at 4 p.m. at Romano Gymnasium in Duluth, Minn.