FAYETTE, Iowa. (Dorman Gymnasium) - In its last match of 2008 the Bemidji State University volleyball team continued its dominance over Upper Iowa University as they swept the Peacocks in three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-19, 25-19.

For just the eighth time this season the Beavers out hit their opponent as BSU hit .226 (35k-14e-93at) to the Peacocks .058 (30k-23e-120at) hitting percentage. It was just the fifth time this season that BSU has held its opponent below a .100 hitting percentage.

For the ninth time this season Nicole Olson (So., MB, Baudette, Minn) led the Beavers in hitting as she netted ten kills hitting at a rate of .125 (10k-6e-32at). Melissa McNeely (Fr., OH, Burnsville, Minn.) added nine kills hitting .333 (9k-2e-21at).

Defensively, Jessi-Beth McCannell (Fr., LB, Brandon, Manitoba) garnered 18 digs to lead the Beavers while Laura Slinger (Fr., OH, Faribault, Minn.) recorded 12 digs for the Beavers. Heather Sampson (So., OH, Brooklyn Park, Minn.) controlled the net for the Beavers as she tied a career-high with five blocks (2bs-3ba) for the fourth time of her career and the second time this season.

Courtney Bitter (Fr., S, Bemidji, Minn.) led the Beavers in assists for the 32nd time this season with 31 assists. It was also the 12th time this season she has had 30 or more assist in a match.

Beth Deutmeyer led the Peacocks with a match-high 12 kills leading the Peacocks with a .290 (12k-3e-31at) hitting percentage. The duo of Shea Meyermann and Tatiana Jackson recorded double-digit digs with 13 and 12, respectively while Kimberly Humpal had a match-high six blocks (2bs-4ba). Kari Vance added 26 assists to pace the Peacocks offense.

In set one the Beavers found themselves down 8-3 forcing head coach Laurie Bitter to take a time out. After the time out the Beavers went on a 9-3 run taking a 12-11 lead. BSU extended its lead to five points (20-15) and eventually took the set 25-21.

Set two saw BSU jump out to a 10-5 lead but a feisty Peacock team made a run and took a 14-13 lead midway through set two. The Peacocks continued to hold a one point lead at 19-18 looking to tie the match up at one set apiece, but the Beavers went on a 7-0 run to close out second set 25-19 and take a 2-0 lead going into the intermission.

Set three went back and fourth with neither team gaining an advantage. With the score tied at 10-10, BSU went on a 5-0 run pushing its lead to 15-10 which would prove to be enough for the Beavers to take the set and the match at 25-19.

The win snaps a season long fourteen match losing skid for the Beavers which was the longest losing streak in school history. With the win the Beavers improve to 9-1 all-time versus UIU extending their win streak to seven matches over the Peacocks. BSU is currently 3-0 all-time when playing in Fayette, Iowa.

BSU lone senior Jennifer Janckila (Appleton, Wis.) played in her last career match for the Beavers finishing her career with 258 total blocks.

Bemidji State ends the 2008 season with a 7-25 overall record and a 3-17 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

--beavers--