DICKINSON, N.D. - The Bemidji State Volleyball team came away with a split to open the 2010 season at the Blue Hawk Tournament on Friday in Dickinson, N.D. The Beavers fell to Montana State-Northern in the first match of the day (25-15, 25-12, 15-25, 31-33, 9-15) but bounced back in the nightcap to take down the host Dickinson State (25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22).

“The first match (against Montana State-Northern) is one I thought we threw away,” said BSU head coach Wayne Chadwick. “That match should have been won by us. I don’t mind losing the third game but we legitimately had four or five match points in the fourth game where we could have won the match. We really just lacked a killer instinct in the opening match.”

Despite the loss to the Skylights of Montana-State Northern, BSU was able to bounce back guided by the solid play of Lindsey Weyer (Sr., DS/OH, Loyal, Wis.) to take down the Blue Hawks on Friday Night.

“I thought that Lindsey Weyer had an unbelievable day for us,” Chadwick said. “She was the best and most consistent player for us in both matches. She was great on the defensive side of the ball and did an excellent job on offense, as well.”

Chadwick also singled out Laura Carlson’s (So., OH, Hutchinson, Minn.) play as being key to the Beavers on Friday

“Laura did very well today,” Chadwick said. “She really had a stellar week of practice and really went out there and made some great defensive plays and did a tremendous job serving for us today.”

Friday’s victory over Dickinson State signified the first win for the Beavers under Chadwick. The new Beaver coach took over the program this summer after spending the last three years as an assistant at the University of Tulsa.

Bemidji State (1-1) will continue play at the Blue Hawk Tournament on Saturday. The Beavers will face Black Hills State at 1 p.m. (CST) and finish up the tournament with a second match against Dickinson State at 5 p.m. (CST)

-bsu-