Box Score ABERDEEN, S.D. (Barnett Center) [box]- The Bemidji State University volleyball team dropped the opener of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) to Northern State University, 3-1 (29-31, 30-32, 30-27, 29-31), Friday evening at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen, S.D.

In a match that could of went either way the Beavers ended up dropping the first, second, and fourth games by just two points each. The Beavers battled hard and was able to win the third game 30-27, but the Wolves were to much at home as NSU would close out any hopes of a Beaver comeback with a 31-29 win to take that match in four games. The Beavers are currently on a five game skid versus Northern State dating back to Oct. 30, 2004 when the Beavers beat the Wolves in Aberdeen, S.D.

The BSU defense was stellar in the match. Although BSU was out hit in the match and the wolves posted 16 more kills than the Beavers, the Bemidji State defense saw four players with at least 16 digs, led by a career-best 31 by Brie Groskreutz (So., OH, Reedsburg, Wis.). Chelsea Geisler (Jr., LB, Grand Rapids, Minn.) also turned in a career-best in digs with 23 in the match. BSU also turned away eight NSU attempts as Jennifer Janckila (Jr., MB, Appleton, Wis.) and Nicole Olson (Fr., MB, Baudette, Minn.) each recorded four blocks in the match. Olson also extended her streak of double-digit kills in a match to five matches, recording 10 kills in tonight’s match versus Northern State.

Heather Sampson (Fr., OH, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) led the BSU attack with a season and career-high 19 kills while hitting .167. Senior outside hitter Brittney Burns (Sr., OH, LeSueur, Minn.) posted her second consecutive double-double as she collected 16 kills and 19 digs. Burns also posted three blocks on the evening. With the 16 kills Burns moves into the six slot on the all-time kill list for a Bemidji State player in a career with 1,045, moving ahead of Diane Glampe (1986-89) who know sits in the seventh spot with 1,032 kills in a career.

For the fifth straight match Allison Kunde (So., S, Burnsville, Minn.) reached at least thirty assists tallying a career high 41 assists. Alicia Beaman (Sr., RS, St. Paul Park, Minn.) recorded 16 assists in the match.

Northern State was led by Stephanie Perez who recorded a triple-double. Perez had 15 kills, 14 digs and 50 assists in the match to led the Wolves over the Beavers. Melanie Perez recorded 35 digs to lead the Wolves defensively. Northern State improves to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the NSIC.

BSU, 2-3 overall and 0-1 in NSIC play, look to climb back to the .500 mark tomorrow as the Beavers will continue their conference road swing at 3:00 p.m. against the University of Mary from the Activity Center
in Bismarck, N.D.