BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Volleyball team couldn't pull off a comeback in either the second or third sets as Winona State University claimed the 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-21) win in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play Saturday night.
Lauren Sitter paced the offense with six kills, while Rylie Bjerklie and Hannah Kos added five kills apiece. Emily Wade dished out 12 assists, with Hally Holker adding eight. Lilly Bandle sent back six blocks, with Bjerklie and Hallie Mertz adding three each. Lauren Justesen and Mertz collected 11 digs apiece.
Both teams struggled to find consistency on offense. Winona State (16-5, 8-4 NSIC) had 27 kills to 17 errors in 93 chances (.108), while Bemidji State (8-12, 5-7 NSIC) had 28 kills to 23 errors in 111 chances (.045).
Winona State exploded out of the gate scoring the first nine points of the opening set. Trailing 13-3, the Beavers rallied with five straight points getting kills from Bjerklie and Ashley Crowl around three errors by the Warriors. Bemidji State couldn't get any closer than five points the rest of the way, pulling to within 22-17 before Winona State won the first set at 25-18.
Crowl and Sitter opened the second set with points before Winona State answered with five straight points. BSU took the lead at 10-9 with Mertz collecting a kill around two attacking errors by the Warriors. After WSU stretched the lead out to four, the Beavers fought back to take the lead at 19-18 with Kos tallying a kill and then a double block by Mertz and Bandle closed the rally. Winona State came back with the next five points to move ahead at 23-19. BSU didn't go away quietly with WSU at set point at 24-20, an attack error and then kill by Bandle left it at 24-22. The Warriors were able to close the set on the next point at 25-22.
Sitter and Bjerklie had kills early in the third set to give Bemidji State the early 8-7 lead. It was back-and-forth from there with the Warriors moving the lead to 14-11. Bemidji State made a push trailing 20-16 reeling off three points to pull to within one. Crowl started the run with a kill and then two straight kills by Bjerklie left the deficit at one, 20-19. Winona State closed strong finishing on a 5-2 run for the 25-21 third set win and 3-0 match victory.
Bemidji State held the edge in kills (28-27), blocks (9-2) and assists (25-24).
The Beavers remain tied for eighth in the NSIC standings along with Sioux Falls, Augustana and Minnesota State.
Bemidji State will hit the road this coming week playing at No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul on Friday at 6 p.m. and then at Minnesota State on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.
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)
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University 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).
