MINOT, N.D. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team earned their fourth win of the season with a 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-18) victory at Minot State University Friday afternoon in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Hallie Mertz landed 17 of the Beavers (4-21, 3-14 NSIC) 43 kills in the match, one shy of career-high.
 
The Beavers got out to a hot start in the first set going on an 11-point run and out-hit MSU (0-24, 0-17 NSIC) .231 to .029 and totaling 16 kills. Bemidji State did not stop there winning the following set and tallying nine more kills. BSU only needed three sets to take the match. Set three the Beavers had their best hitting performance of the match hitting .304 and racking up 18 kills.
 
On the attack, behind Mertz, Rylie Bjerklie scored on eight attacks, Emily Wade and Ashley East were able to land five kills as well. Mertz was able to score off the serve four times in the match and Bjerklie finished with two aces. Wade set up 32 of the Beaver points in the match, her season high.
 
Four Beavers were able to record double-digit digs. Madison Weyker led the team with 18, Annie Hopp and Jada Wlodarczyk finished right behind her with 11 apiece and Wade finished the match with 10. Bemidji State recorded five blocks to Minot State's four. Wade recorded her first blocks of the season ending the match with three. Rylee Pompa and Bjerklie were able to get a piece of two MSU attacks.
 
The Beavers continue their road trip tomorrow as they travel to Bismarck, N.D., to face the University of Mary at 2 p.m. for their final road match of the season. This is the Beavers second meeting with Mary this season where in the first the Beavers took a 3-0 victory at home.
 
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) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversVB)
 
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 hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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—