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INDIANAPOLIS – Coming off a five-match road trip, the IUPUI volleyball team returns home this weekend to host North Dakota State and South Dakota State for its Dig Pink Weekend. The Jags open the weekend against the Bison at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, before meeting the Jackrabbits at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.
 
The Jags will be raising money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer this weekend and encourage all fans to wear pink in support of the cause. Last year, former Jaguar Jen Mertz Will served as the team’s honorary captain after being diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2011.
 
She will be back in attendance for Friday night’s game serving as the team’s honorary captain again, but this year, a portion of the monies raised by the Jags will go towards a foundation started by Will, Ribbon Chicks.
 
“Last year, having Jen involved with our Dig Pink Game motivated our team to raise as much money as possible for breast cancer research,” head coach #Steve Payne said. “Being a former player, Jen’s fight hit home with our program and working with her again this year is something we all look forward to. It will be a great weekend.”

Ribbon Chicks started as an informal support group in October of 2011 for women under the age of 45 that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The group morphed into a not-for-profit organization nearly two months ago and provides financial assistance for women (all ages) within northeast Indiana undergoing breast cancer treatment, regardless of insurance status.
 
On the court, IUPUI sits in a tie for second place in the Summit League with a 7-3 league mark after splitting with South Dakota and UMKC last weekend. The Jags are just a half a game back of Fort Wayne for first place.
 
In league-only play, the Jags are led by Moriah Fair offensively, who averages 3.50 kps and ranks sixth in the conference. Fellow outside hitter Kaitlyn Hickey is averaging 3.16 kps to rank ninth.
 
Defensively, the Jaguars are second in the league in digs thanks in part to Beth Howard and Hickey, who rank second and seventh in the conference averaging 5.58 dps and 4.45 dps, respectively. Bethany Fogler anchors the front row of the defense leading the Summit League in blocking for league matches, rejecting 1.45 attempts per set.
 
North Dakota State comes into the weekend in a three-way tie for fourth place with South Dakota State and Oakland. The Bison are led offensively by Byrnn Joki’s 3.62 kps, while Megan Lambertson ranks second on the team with 2.99 kps. Lambertson leads the team in hitting percentage hitting at a .390 clip.
 
Since falling to IUPUI on Sept. 22, NDSU has responded by winning five of its last seven matches.
 
South Dakota State’s strength lies in its block as the Jackrabbits lead the conference in that category averaging 2.60 bps. Kelly Fiegen leads the team in blocks with 1.44 bps, while also leading the team in kills. Collectively, SDSU is hitting .227.