ANCHORAGE, Alaska - [box score] The Bemidji State University volleyball team fell to the University of North Dakota 3-1 (30-19, 28-30, 30-19, 30-25) tonight in the opening match of the 2005 Aspen Hotels Invitational at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex in Anchorage, Alaska.

After dropping game one 30-19, the Beavers put together their best offensive performance of the young 2005 season hitting at a .324 clip while collecting 17 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Brittney Burns (Henderson, Minn.) led the Beavers to the 30-28 game two win with six kills. But BSU's offensive success was short-lived as it dropped the third game (30-19) while hitting just .032 recording nine kills. Although the team blasted 16 kills in game four, the Fighting Sioux would pull away with the game (30-25) and the match (3-1), handing BSU its fifth loss of the season.

In the match, BSU was led by Brittney Carlson (So., MB, New Prague, Minn.) who posted team highs for kills (16) and hitting percentage (.400) while collecting five blocks (1bs-4ba). The Beavers also had a pair of athletes collect double-doubles in the match. Burns posted season-highs with 10 kills and 12 digs and BSU's floor general, Alicia Beaman (So., S, St. Paul Park, Minn.) recorded a career-best 43 assists while digging 11 UND attacks. The double-doubles were the first for the Beavers in 2005.

Defensively, Bemidji State was led by Alex Schuette (Fr., DS, Oak Grove, Minn.) who collected a match-high 18 defensive saves. Senior captain Christa Anderson (MB, Siren, Wis.) was again tough at the net, leading all players with six blocks (2bs-4ba).

Kristina Kazociuniene paced North Dakota posting a double-double (13k-14d) and Aileen Cahill blasted 18 kills to push the Sioux to victory.

Tonight's loss drops Bemidji State to 0-5 overall. The team will continue its quest for its first victory of the 2005 campaign tomorrow (Sept. 2) when it returns to round-robin play to battle a pair of unfamiliar opponents. The Beavers begin the day with a 1:30 p.m. ADT (4:30 p.m. CDT) match versus first-time foe University of Hawaii-Hilo. Then its is back to the court at 7:30 p.m. ADT to take on the host University of Alaska-Anchorage, marking the first time since 1994 that the teams have met in head-to-head competition.

 

2005 Aspen Hotels Invitational Complete Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 1:
North Dakota vs. Bemidji State; UND over BSU 3-1 (30-19, 28-30, 30-19, 30-25)
Alaska-Anchorage vs. Hawaii-Hilo; 7:30 p.m. ADT

Friday, Sept. 2:
North Dakota at Alaska-Anchorage; 11:00 a.m. ADT
Hawaii-Hilo vs. Bemidji State; 1:30 p.m. ADT
North Dakota vs. Hawaii-Hilo; 5:00 p.m. ADT
Bemidji State at Alaska-Anchorage; 7:30 p.m. ADT

Saturday Sept. 3:
Consolation match; 5:00 p.m. ADT
Championship match; 7:30 p.m. ADT

-bsu-