BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team played three extremely close set against Minnesota State University, Mankato but fell, 3-0 (28-26, 25-19, 25-22) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Saturday afternoon. The Beavers (3-16, 2-9 NSIC) finished the match with 44 kills, one more than Minnesota State. Leading the way for the Beavers was junior Hallie Mertz with 10 on the day.
 
On the attack Lauren Sitter and Rylie Bjerklie were behind Mertz racking up nine and six kills respectively. Zayda Priebe and Meeghen Dahlager contributed on the attack both with five kills. Setting up those attacks were Hally Holker and Emily Wade. Holker finished the match with 18 assists and Wade finished with 16. BSU also had three aces in the match, Wade served up two and Mertz with one. As a team the Beavers hit .230 in the match (.196, .222, .275). 
 
On defense, Annie Hopp came away with 12 digs. Behind Hopp were Mertz and Holker both coming away with seven digs a piece. The Beavers out blocked three Maverick attacks Hallie Mertz had one solo block and Priebe and Sitter both had two assisted blocks. 
 
The Beavers will be on the road next weekend to face Upper Iowa University and Winona State University at 6:00 p.m. Friday and 2:00 p.m. Saturday respectively. 
 
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—