BEMIDJI, Minn. -- [box score] The Bemidji State University volleyball team dropped a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match to Northern State University, 3-0 (30-17, 30-19, 30-24), Friday evening at the BSU Gymnasium.

The Beaver attack was led by the pair of Brittney Burns (Jr., OH, LeSueur, Minn.) and Chelsea Utzerath (Jr., Opp., Beavers Dam, Wis.) who each netted nine kills while Alaina Adams (Jr., OH, Halstad, Minn.) was close behind with eight.

On the defensive side of things, Brie Groskreutz (Fr., OH, Reedsburg, Wis.) posted a team-high 20 digs in her return to the court after sitting out since Oct. 4th with an ankle injury. Allison Kunde (Fr., S., Burnsville, Minn.) and Allison Hyatt (Jr., DS/L, MineCenter, Ont.) also added 11 and 10 digs respectively.

Jennifer Janckila (So., MB, Appleton, Wis.) paced BSU at the net with five blocks as the Beavers out blocked the Wolves 10-0 to 8.0 in the match. Anna Leafblad (Fr., MB, Coon Rapids, Minn. ) equaled a career-best with four blocks and Burns also contributed four.

Odemaris Diaz led all players with 15 kills and Emily Knaeble added 12 kills and a match-high .273 hitting percentage (12-3-33). Libero Melanie Perez collected a match-high 30 digs while Diaz, Knaeble and Kelsey Aden each turned away three BSU attacks via the block.

The win helps NSU close the gap in the all-time series to 31-21 including a 10-5 string since 1999.

Bemidji State (7-21; 3-12 NSIC) continues three-match homestand and Parent's Weekend festivities tomorrow afternoon when it plays host to NSIC newcomer University of Mary for the first time in the history of the series. The match is set for a 3 p.m. start in the BSU Gymnasium.