BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team fell just short in its home match against University of Sioux Falls Friday night. The Beavers fell to the Cougars, 3-2 (13-25, 25-19, 25-18, 15-25, 11-15) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at the BSU Gymnasium.
 
Hallie Mertz led the Beavers (3-10, 2-3 NSIC) with 15 kills while Ashley East joined her in double-digit kills with 10 against the Cougars (8-5, 4-1 NSIC).
 
Sioux Falls took the first set 25-13. BSU responded back with a 25-19 set victory out hitting the cougars, .171 to .000.  The Beavers then took the next set 25-18 while recording 10 kills. BSU would fall in the next set 15-25 getting out hit .333 to .026. Bemidji State then fell 11-15 in the fifth and final set.
 
Following Mertz and East were sophomores Ashley Crowl and Lauren Sitter totaling six kills each. East led the team in hitting percentage with .529 with 17 attacks carrying the team .076 hitting percentage of the night.
 
On defense, Mertz had 16 digs following her was Lauren Justesen with 15 while only playing in four of the five sets. The Beavers increase their season-high for blocks in a match to 14 with a majority of them (eight) coming in the third set. Rylee Pompa and Rylie Bjerklie both contributed with six blocks and Mertz followed behind with five.
 
Bemidji State was out-hit by the cougars .076 to .176 with Holker and Emily Wade totaling 23 and 17 assists, respectively.
 
The Beavers will face the eighth ranked team in Division II tomorrow when, Southwest Minn. State University comes to town. The Beavers and Mustangs begin at 1:00 p.m., from the BSU Gymnasium.
 
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—