BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team will be away this weekend as they face the No. 1 team in Division II volleyball in Wayne State College and Augustana University who is also receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches' Association national poll. 
 
The Beavers (3-11, 2-4 NSIC) will start competition in Wayne, Neb., to take on the Wildcats (16-0, 6-0 NSIC) on Friday, Sept. 30. The Beavers will then travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., as they face the Vikings (10-4, 2-4 NSIC) the following day. 
 
The action between Bemidji State and Wayne State will start at 6:00 p.m., followed by a 5:00 p.m., start against Augustana, Saturday. Live stats can be found here.
 
The Beavers are paced by junior Hallie Mertz this season who has totaled 144 kills and averages 2.82 k/s. She is followed by sophomore Lauren Sitter and senior Ashley East who each have 77 and 73 kills, respectively. BSU is hitting .135 as a team and are led by senior Ashley East who is hitting .257 with over 100 attacks. Freshman Zayda Priebe follows by hitting .280 in 50 attacks.
 
The Beavers have split setting duties between sophomore Emily Wade and freshman Hally Holker. Holker has assisted in 216 points and Wade is right behind her with 203.
 
On defense, junior Lauren Justesen leads BSU with 154 digs and is ninth in the NSIC with a 3.95 d/s average. Junior Rylie Bjerklie leads BSU at the net with 28 blocks while senior Rylee Pompa has been a part of 23. 
 
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—