BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team earned its first victory of the season Saturday afternoon after downing Minot State University in three sets (25-19, 25-18, 26-24) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Sophomore Rilee Michaelson posted a career-high 10 kills while senior Anna Averkamp also totaled 10 kills to power the Beavers (1-20, 1-12 NSIC) to victory.

With the win, the Beavers snapped a 20-match losing streak, the longest in program history.

Bemidji State totaled 38 kills as a team in the match after being led by Michaelson and Averkamp while freshman Emily Wade followed with a career-high six kills as a setter while freshman Lauren Sitter added five kills. The Beavers hit .179 as a team (38-17-117) and were led by Averkamp who hit .400 off of 10 kills, two errors and 20 attacks.

Wade also led the Beavers with 25 assists and totaled eight digs on the defensive side of the court. Bemidji State's defense was led by sophomore Lauren Justesen who totaled 12 digs while junior Meeghen Dahlager followed with 11.

Averkamp led the Beavers at the net with two blocks while sophomore Rylie Bjerklie followed with 1.5 blocks. Bemidji State also totaled seven service aces in the match, tied for second most this season, and were led by senior Annie Hopp who totaled three. 

The Beavers hope to continue their winning ways and will travel to University of Minnesota, Crookston Thursday, Oct. 28 in their next action. BSU will then return home Saturday, Oct. 30 to host University of Minnesota Duluth.

For more information on the Bemidji State volleyball program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeaversVB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers and Volleyball Facebook) or sign up for the TXTUpdates from BSUBeavers.com text-messaging system through the "Multimedia" pull down menu on the main page of BSUBeavers.com.

Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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