CANYON, Texas -- [box score] The Bemidji State University volleyball team opened the 2006 campaign with a loss to Harding University (Ark.) this afternoon in the first match of the GrapevineWoods.com Lady Buff Classic in Canyon, Texas. The Bison hit .259 (42k-14e-108at), behind a 12-kill, .258 performance from Katelin Parks, to take the match 3-0 (30-18, 30-15, 30-27).

BSU struggled to generate offense totaling just 30 kills in the three-game match. As a team, the Beavers hit .037 (30k-26e-109at) failing to breal the .100 mark in any of the three games.

Brittney Burns (LeSueur, Minn.) paced the Bemidji State attack with 10 kills generating a team-best .261 (10k-4e-23at) hitting percentage. She also led the team defensively collecting eight of the Beavers' 34 digs.

In her first collegiate match, freshman Brie Groskreutz (Reedsberg, Wis.) tallied six kills while matching defensive specialist Allison Hyatt (Jr., MineCentre, Ont.) with seven defensive saves.

The Beavers' strength at the net was a highlight of the match as BSU out blocked HU 5.0 to 3.0. The trio of Jennifer Janckila (So, Appleton, Wis.), Chelsea Utzerath (Jr., Beaver Dam, Wis.) and newcomer Anna Leafblad (Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) each turned away a pair of Bison attempts to lead the Beavers.

In addition to Parks contributions, Harding got 10 kills from Tiffany Morrison while Leah Tepe added a match-high 31 assists and Paige Good led all players with 12 digs.

The Beavers look to even their record at 1-1 tonight when they battle Dallas Baptist University at 5:00p.m.

-bsu-