Mankato, Minn. - As if starting the 2002 season on the road was not hard enough, Bemidji State had to face two nationally recognized squads in South Dakota State and Minnesota State University-Mankato today.

In the first match against SDSU, which is ranked second in the 2002 AVCA Division II Coaches Preseason Poll, the Beavers were defeated by a count of 3-0 (30-14, 30-17, 30-17). Sophomore defensive specialist Kelly Piper (Eagan, Minn.) led the team with seven kills while sophomore setter Kristin Smith (Rockford, Ill.) tallied 25 assists. BSU made the third game exciting as junior middle blocker Nicole McDougall (Hitterdal, Minn.) and junior outside hitter Kristin Peterson (Hayfield, Minn.) appeared for the first time and each came up with two and four kills, respectively. McDougall, an all-league performer last season and Peterson, who led the squad in total digs a year ago, both seemed to give the Beavers some much needed offensive power.

“Someone has to step up, since in the first two games no one was,” said BSU head coach Patricia Mickow. “I felt that between Peterson and McDougall, they should get a shot there.”

“SDSU is ranked #2 in the nation. They are going to beat a lot of teams like they did today,” said Mickow.

In the second match of the day vs. MSU-Mankato, the Beavers lost 3-0. However, coach Mickow cites that the effort was there, especially near the end.

“It was nice to see that they got after it. We started coming around in the end. They finally found out that we can slap the ball around and make some digs,” said Mickow.

The Mavericks, which received votes in the 2002 preseason polls, won the first two games by scores of 30-14 and 30-19. The third game proved to be more closely-matched as BSU narrowed the MSU margin to 21-19 after a Maverick timeout. The Beavers were highlighted by the five kills by senior outside hitter Layne Backer (Tenstrike, Minn.). Bemidji State performed well defensively with Smith getting six digs to go with her 15 assists, while Piper and Peterson had five digs apiece.

“One problem right now is our confidence,” said Mickow. “We have to believe that we can be in every game and win.”

Action concludes at the MSU-Mankato Tournament tomorrow with BSU squaring off against Montana State-Billings at 11:00 a.m. and Northwest Nazarene at 5:00 p.m. Bemidji State has never faced either team in its 34-year history.