SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Back on Oct. 2, the Bemidji State University volleyball team scratched and clawed its way to a five set victory against Augustana College at BSU Gymnasium. Friday night the Vikings used home court to their advantage to defeat the Beavers and split the season series 1-1. AC won the match by a 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 25-17) score in a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match.

The Beavers (10-18, 7-10 NSIC) and Vikings (12-16, 7-9 NSIC) traded two and three-point runs to start the match, eventually getting to a 14-14 tie. AC then went on a 4-0 run, scoring all its points on kills and forced a timeout by BSU head coach Laurie Bitter. The Beavers used the break to end the Viking run with a kill by freshman Laura Carlson (OH, Hutchinson, Minn.), but the determined Augie squad went on a three-point run to take a commanding 21-15 lead. The deficit proved to be too much for BSU and it fell in the first set 22-25. The second set was more of the same from the first as the two teams continued to let the momentum pendulum swing. Neither team ever led by more than three points until the final point of set gave AC the 25-22 victory. BSU hit better than the Vikings in the second set with a .278 attacking percentage to AC’s .256, but was always playing catch-up in the set. The Beavers held a 10-8 lead early in the second, but four consecutive points put Augie ahead 12-10 and BSU would never see the lead again, tying the match five times.

BSU used the extra break after the second set to regroup and they came out swinging in the third set, outhitting AC .303-.175. With a 6-5 lead, Augie gave the Beavers the next four points off two attacking errors, a ball handling error and a service error, propelling BSU to a 10-5 lead. The Beavers extended the advantage to 12-6, but the home team came back hard to cut the deficit to one at 15-16. Two more attacking errors by Augustana and a kill from junior Nicole Solum (RS, Spokane, Wash.) but the Beavers up for good a 19-15 and went on to win the set 25-20. The set loss started a fire under the Vikings and they stormed out to a 14-5 lead in the fourth set, with eight of the points coming off AC kills. BSU would never recover and fall in the set 25-17.

Junior middle blocker Nicole Olson (Baudette, Minn.) posted a match-high 17 kills and added a .302 attacking percentage and five blocks (all assists). Sophomore setter Courtney Bitter (Bemidji, Minn.) had 37 set assists, 14 digs and eight kills for her 12th double-double of the season, falling just two kills short of her second triple-double of the season. Junior Brie Groskreutz (OH, Reedsburg, Minn.) had 20 digs and now has 1,292 career digs moving to fourth on BSU’s all-time career charts (since 1980). She surpasses Diane Glampe (1986-89) and Peggy Hammel-Moran (1996-99) who each posted 1,273 career digs. Junior outside hitter Lindsey Weyer (Loyal, Wis.) had 12 digs. Sophomore Laura Slinger (LS/MB, Faribault, Minn.) posted 11 kills and a .308 attacking percentage.

The Beavers battle in their final road contest of the season Saturday at 5 p.m. in a tough match against No. 14 Wayne State College.

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

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