SIOUX FALSS, S.D. – Sophomore Rylie Bjerklie and senior Anna Averkamp each led the Bemidji State University volleyball team with seven kills in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-10) loss at University of Sioux Falls, Friday night in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Bemidji State totaled 26 kills as a team and hit .071 compared to 38 kills and a .350 hitting percentage for the Cougars (16-11, 11-8 NSIC). 

With the loss the Beavers fall to 2-25 on the season and are 2-17 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.

Behind Bjerklie and Averkamp was sophomore Rilee Michaelson who added four kills while freshmen Lauren Sitter and Ashley Crowl each added three. Sitter paced the Beavers by hitting .429 while Bjerklie followed by hitting .357.

Freshman Emily Wade set the ball for the Beavers' attack and totaled 23 assists. 

Sophomore Madison Weyker and senior Taylor Kot each led the BSU defense with six digs while Sitter paced the Beavers' blockers with 1.5 blocks (3a). 

The Beavers conclude their 2021 season tomorrow afternoon by facing No. 17 Southwest Minnesota State University at 2 p.m., in Marshall, Minn.

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).

--bsu—