MARY, N.D. -- Sweeping two more opponents, Bemidji State (6-3, 0-0) pushed its record to 5-2 in three-game matches this season after splitting four contests at the University of Mary (N.D.) Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

In the first match, Bemidji State dropped a 3-0 decision to 2000 NAIA National Champion, Dickinson State by scores of 30-24, 30-25, 30-15. Then, BSU blanked Mayville State, 3-0 to finish day one with a 1-1 record. Scores were 30-25, 30-24, 30-24. Beginning day two, the Beavers lost, 3-1 (24-30, 30-28, 30-26, 30-25), to the University of Mary (N.D.) before taking down MSU-Moorhead, 3-1. Scores against MSU-M were 30-28, 30-25, 30-25.

Leading the way in kills was senior Kristin Peterson as she came away with 40 in the four matches. She added 31 digs and recorded her 16th career double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs against Mary on Saturday. Junior Heather Haugen totaled 39 kills and nine blocks while junior Kristin Smith notched 122 assists and 28 digs. Smith had two double-doubles including a 33 assist, 10 dig performance against Mary.

BSU received good defensive efforts from junior Kristine Engman, senior Nicole McDougall and freshman Kathryn McCannell. Having a team-high in digs three times including a 20-dig performance vs. Mary, Engman totaled 46 digs on the weekend. McDougall posted 16 blocks moving her 16 away from the 10th spot on the school’s career blocks list. The Hitterdal, Minn., native added 33 kills and hit a team-leading .264 (33-10-87). McCannell dug a career-high 11 balls vs. Mary and tallied 27 total digs.

Staying on the road for the third consecutive weekend, the Beavers travel to Omaha, Neb., for the NSIC/NCC Crossover. BSU faces a trio of North Central Conference schools Sept. 12-13. In day one, host Nebraska-Omaha plays Bemidji State at 2 p.m. Then, South Dakota State (10 a.m.) and South Dakota (2 p.m.) round out BSU’s play on Saturday.

NOTE: The 6-3 start is the best to open up a campaign since the 1999 club went 11-1...The five wins in three-game matches this season exceeds the four BSU had all of last season...Bemidji State has five wins on neutral court this season, which is more than the past three seasons combined - BSU had one in 2002, three in 2001 and zero in 2000...With two on the weekend, Kristin Smith has the active lead with 17 double-doubles - Kristin Peterson is next with 16...Smith had a career-high six kills against MSU-Moorhead (9/6)...With 20 digs against Mary (9/6), Engman has four 20+ dig matches in her career...Kelly Piper sat out the Mary Tournament with an injured knee and is listed as questionable for next weekend...Lisa Smith did not play in two of the four matches (coaches decision).