BROOKINGS, S.D. – With the tournament portion of the season behind them, the IUPUI volleyball team (4-11) will officially kick of Summit League play on the road, as the Jags will do battle with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1-11) Friday (Sep. 23) at 8 p.m. EST, followed by an 8 p.m. bout with the North Dakota State Bison (2-11) Saturday (Sep. 24).
 
The Jags are led this season by Kori Waelbroeck, who ranks third in the Summit League in kills (175) and kills per set (3.57).  Alexis Mapes has 463 assists and a League third-best 8.90 assist per set, while Jessica Helms ranks in the top-five in digs (180).  Abby Boatman continues to grow and has emerged as a pivotal player in the Jaguars' lineup, compiling a team-high 53 total blocks and is tied for fourth-place in the Summit League with 1.02 blocks per set.  Gabby Fisher is second on the team in kills (146), kills per set (2.81), and digs (166) while leading the Jags with 17 service aces.
 
The Jackrabbits are currently dealing with the pains of a nine-match losing streak, which goes back to Aug. 30, when the team lost to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, 2-3.  During the streak, SDSU has just five sets to their credit, while losing six of those matches in straight-sets.  The Jackrabbits are hitting just .129 as a unit, averaging 11 kills per set.  The team is led by Ashley Beaner, who has 129 kills this year.  All-time, the Jags hold a 12-6 record against the Jackrabbits, last facing them on Oct. 30 of last season.  The Jags won that match, 3-0, on a night in which two-time All-American Kaitlyn Hickey picked up 17 kills, while Waelbroeck added eight.
 
Following the Friday festivities, the Jags will venture north to Fargo, North Dakota, to take on the Bison.  NDSU started the season on a six-match losing streak before breaking off back-to-back wins against Bradley and Montana.  Since then, the Bison have dropped their last five contests, with four of those matches coming in straight-sets.  North Dakota State will face Oral Roberts Friday, prior to hosting IUPUI.  The team currently features three players with triple-digit kills, all of whom are led by Hadley Steffen with 118.  All-time against IUPUI, the Bison are 13-7, last playing and defeating the Jags in straight-sets on Nov. 8th of last season.  IUPUI defeated the Bison, 3-1, at home earlier in the season (Oct. 10, 2015).
 
Following the weekend, the Jags will play their Summit League home opener on Friday (Sep. 30) at 7 p.m. in the Jungle against Western Illinois.
 
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