BEMIDJI, MINN. -- Bemidji State (11-12, 3-4 NSIC) dropped just its second home match of the season in losing, 1-3, to Wayne State (Neb.) (7-17, 2-5 NSIC) tonight at the BSU Gymnasium. Meanwhile, the Wildcats continued its recent dominance, winning their eighth consecutive over the Beavers in the overall series. Scores were 19-30, 30-15, 34-32, 31-29.

“ We did not get consistent play from everyone at once,” said head coach Kim Falkenhagen. “I think that is the best match that they (Wayne) have played all year.

“In a game like that, two players (Kristin Smith, Kelly Piper) can’t get it done for the whole team. Smith and Piper really were on their game tonight.”

The Beavers were commanding in the game one win as they never trailed. A solo block by junior Heather Haugen ended a 11-6 game-opening run for BSU. The lead would only increase from there as junior Kelly Piper’s kill was the game’s final point.

However, Wayne State made its move right away in game two. The guests strung together six straight points to open it up. BSU came to within four at 11-15, but WSC answered with eight consecutive to lead 23-11 and kept the momentum to win the second game.

In game three, the score remained tight with BSU holding a brief 10-9 edge. Then, the hosts received a service ace by junior Kristin Smith as that point capped a 5-2 run. From there, the Wildcats countered with a 12-6 spurt, including six straight to lead 23-21. BSU had two game point opportunities but WSC notched the final three points to take a 2-1 game lead.

The Beavers came out on fire with a 14-5 opening run in game four. Three kills by senior Kristin Peterson and two from Haugen led that rally. But, Wayne State edged back by swiping nine of the next 12 points and trailed 14-16. After what appeared to be the final blow given by the Beavers - they tallied seven of the next eight to lead 23-15 - the Wildcats responded with seven straight of their own. Later, they tied the count at 27-27. After two of Piper’s 13 kills put BSU up 29-27, the visitors earned the final four points, thanks to two service aces.

Despite the loss, BSU held a .189 to .163 hitting advantage and totaled 61 kills to the 55 from Wayne State.

For the Beavers, Haugen recorded a game-high 15 kills and .364 hitting mark (15-3-33). Piper added 13 kills and 15 digs while Peterson chipped in with 11 kills and 14 digs. Kristin Smith posted 50 assists and 15 digs and Kristine Engman had 14 digs.

Wayne State received good play from Jacey Kuck (11 kills, 22 digs), Chelse Schultz (11 kills, 14 digs) and Julie Jacobsen (41 assists, 15 digs).

Bemidji State faces Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the BSU Gymnasium. The Mustangs entered the week as the sixth-best team in the North Central Region.

“Tomorrow is a must win for us,” said Falkenhagen. “They (SW Minnesota State) are a good team and we will have to come out and play every point hard.”


NOTE: Wayne State holds a 9-1 all-time advantage over the Beavers, including eight straight; before tonight, the last six meetings were 3-0 sweeps...In hitting better than its opponent (.189-.163), BSU loses for the first time since a 3-2 setback against MSU-Moorhead, Oct. 13, 2001 when the Beavers held a .179-.157 edge...The 84 digs was a season-high and the most since it had 95 vs. SW Minnesota State, Nov. 9, 2002...The three double-doubles for Kelly Piper, Kristin Peterson and Kristin Smith were the most for BSU in a single match since it had three against Concordia-Moorhead (8/29/03) - it was Piper’s fifth career, Peterson’s 25th career and Smith’s 21st career...Bemidji State is just one game shy of reaching win No. 600 in school history - it holds a 599-566-6 (.514) all-time record...On the season, the Beavers drop to 9-3 when winning game one but losing the match and moves to 10-1 when having a better hitting percentage than their opponent.