SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University volleyball team flies down to Austin, Texas, to compete in the Hilltopper Classic hosted by St. Edward's University on Friday, September 8, and Saturday, September 9. The Green and Gold will face the University of Texas-Permian Basin and Midwestern State on Friday, followed by Southern Arkansas University and St. Edward's University on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The University of Texas- Permian Basin is a member of the Lone Star Conference and is slated to finish 10^th in its conference. The Falcons currently hold a 2-2 record.

Rachel Dixon leads the team with 38.5 points. Dixon has recorded 33 kills with a 2.54 kill per set average. She has played in every match, playing 13 sets, and made four starts. Alongside Dixon, Kiera Granado has tallied 129 assists with an 8.60 assist per set average.

On defense, Sarah Vasquez has posted 73 digs with a 4.87 dig per set average. Vasquez has played in four matches and all 15 sets. Skyler Friel works next to Vasquez and has registered 12 blocks, 11 of them assisted and one solo. Friel owns a 0.86 block per set average.

Midwestern State University is also a member of the Lone Star Conference and is slated to finish above UTPB in ninth. The Mustangs have posted a 2-2 record on the season.

Meghan Bettis has played and started in every match for the Mustangs. In 14 sets played, Bettis has tallied 32 kills with a 2.29 kill per set average. Kristan Aduddell has recorded 138 assists with a 9.86 assists per set average.

Arielle Edwards leads the defense for the Mustangs. In four matches with 14 sets played, Edwards has notched 61 digs with a 4.36 dig per set average. Alongside Edwards, Raven Presley has blocked 10 shots, with eight of them assisted and two solo. Presley averages 0.71 blocks per set.

Southern Arkansas University is a member of the Great American Conference and is picked to finish 11^th in the conference after posting a 9-21 overall and 3-13 conference record last season. The Lady Muleriders hold a 2-4 record to start the season.

Morgan Gross is the lead hitter for SAU. In 22 sets, Gross holds a .215 hitting percentage with 50 kills and a 2.27 kill per set average. Gross has also notched 13 service aces. Alexa Bass has assisted Gross on the offense. In 21 sets, Bass has recorded 110 assists with a 5.24 assist per set average.

Whitney Brown and Alli O'Banion lead the defense. Brown has recorded 51 digs with a 2.43 dig per set average. O'Banion has tallied 20 blocks, 18 of them assisted and two solo. She averages a 0.91 blocks per set.

St. Edward's University is a member of the Heartland Conference and is slated to finish third in the conference after going 11-18 overall and 9-5 in conference action last season. The Lady Goats have a posted a 3-1 record on the season to start.

Katie Martin owns a .294 hitting percentage. In 13 sets, Martin has tallied 48 kills with a 3.69 kill per set average. Julia Hartley joins Martin on the offense with 67 assists and a 5.58 assist per set average.

On defense, Morgan Beckham leads the Lady Goats with 71 digs and a 5.46 per set average. Mikayla Parker works alongside Beckham. Parker was named to the All-Heartland Preseason Team based off her performance last season, leading the team with a 111 blocks with a 1.1 block per set average. This season, Parker has notched eight blocks with a 0.62 block per set average.

Black Hills State, a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, is picked to finish 10^th in the conference after posting an 8-18 overall record, and a 6-12 record in conference play last season. The Yellow Jackets currently own a 1-3 record after earning their first win at the Country Inn & Suites Invitational in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Cheyenne Palu leads the team offensively and defensively. On offense, Palu has notched 40 kills and a 2.35 kill per set average, which is good enough for a .341 hitting percentage. Alongside Palu on offense, Sierra Stugelmeyer has tallied 36 kills for a 2.12 per set average and a .258 hitting percentage. Stugelmeyer was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Sioux Falls Tournament for her consistent play.

Laurel Lech assists Palu and Stugelmeyer on offense. In 17 sets played, Lech has recorded 151 assists for an 8.88 assists per set average.

On defense, Palu has tallied 17 blocks, 15 of them assisted and two solo. Palu holds a 1.00 block per set average. Sydney Ederhoff leads the defense with 78 digs and a 4.59 dig per set average.

Following the weekend, the Green and Gold hit the road for Colorado to start RMAC action at Fort Lewis and Adams State on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.