An entire slate of Northern State athletics took place this past week with volleyball competing for the first time this year, soccer seeing its first official action, and a football home opener.

The volleyball squad had a big week of action, winning four straight matches to begin the season.

Northern swept Northwest Missouri which was receiving votes in the poll. The Wolves then picked up wins over two in-state opponents: South Dakota Mines and conference foe, Augustana, sweeping Mines, and gaining a hard fought five-set victory over Augustana.

The Vikings had the Wolves at match point after a kill by Reagan Jensen to give Augustana 14-13 lead in the fifth. Northern scored three straight points, ending the match on a Natalia Szybinska kill assisted by Keri Walker. The Wolves closed out their opening week with a sweep over Alaska Anchorage.

“It feels pretty good. Especially to start the season like that,” said Walker, who was named NSIC Setter of the Week. “I think last year we started 3-1, and had a loss we probably shouldn’t have. So, this year to come out strong without those hiccups is just like a good confidence booster.”

Over their four matches Northern served 21 aces, and hit .314 while holding opponents to a .148 attacking percentage. Szybinska led in kills with 50, followed by Hanna Thompson with 41.

Walker served up 6 aces, with Sara Moberg adding four. Abby Meister led the Wolves defensively with 87 digs, averaging 6.21 digs per set. She also had a perfect serve reception going 35-35 giving her the first NSIC Defensive Player of the Week of this year.

“Abby got Defensive Player of the Week,” Walker said, “so that was pretty cool.”

On the pitch, the soccer team went 0-1-1 with a road loss to Drury 3-0, and a tie against Missouri Western in their home opener, 1-1. Drury rode the momentum scoring all three goals within 17 minutes of the second half (49:17, 53:05, 61:56). The Wolves were outshot 10-1 in the second half. Alexus Townsend tallied five saves on the day, and Alexis Phillips notched two shots on goal.

Northern bounced back against Missouri Western with a Megan Fastenau goal in the 11th minute to gain an early lead. Missouri Western scored on a penalty kick in the 37th minute to tie the game, and no goals were scored the rest of the match. Elinor Sayers started the first half in the goal tallying three saves, with Townsend securing five saves in the second half.

The football team suffered a 34-10 loss against Sioux Falls despite having 292 total yards compared to 263 total yards for USF. The Cougars started off hot, scoring 20 points in the first half on 199 yards in the first quarter. Sioux Falls scored just before half and then scored on its opening drive in the 3rd quarter to extend the lead 34-0.

The Wolves saw their first score on a Jeremy Caruso 41-yard field goal late in the third quarter, and their first touchdown on the year on a 6-yard pass from Colton Hackel to Hank Kraft. Kegan Mountain secured the Wolves first turnover of the year on a third down interception, and Jake Adams led the defense in tackles with eight.

The soccer team will travel to Bismarck, N.D. to take on Emporia State on Friday, and while the volleyball squad is in Kenosha, Wis. to take on Ohio Dominican and Parkside Friday, before facing Lake Erie and Wayne State (Mich.) on Saturday. The football team will be at Minot Saturday, and soccer has a Sunday home contest against Minnesota-Duluth.