ST. PAUL, Minn. – The No. 4 ranked Concordia-St. Paul Golden Bears proved why they are a top five ranked team in the nation Friday night defeating the Bemidji State University Volleyball team 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-12) in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside Gangelhoff Center.
Concordia- St. Paul (20-2, 11-2 NSIC) posted 41 kills to seven errors in 63 chances (.540). Bemidji State (8-13, 5-8 NSIC) tallied 17 kills to 18 errors in 86 chances (-.012).
Rylie Bjerklie posted a kill early in the opening set to bring the Beavers to within one at 3-2. Following kills by Lauren Justesen, Zayda Priebe and Lauren Sitter had the deficit at four, 10-6. The Golden Bears reeled off the next six points to start pulling away at 16-6. After a Priebe kill stopped that run, CSP wouldn't be denied closing the first set on a 9-1 run for the 25-8 set win.
Bemidji State collected the first three points of the second set with Ashley Crowl serving up three straight aces. Kills by Hallie Mertz and then an attacking error had the Beavers still in front at 6-4. Bjerklie helped BSU even the set at eight and following kills by Crowl and Sitter kept BSU within striking distance, the Golden Bears closed the second set on a 11-1 run for the 25-12 set victory.
Lilly Bandle and Bjerklie had early points in the third set to push BSU ahead. The Golden Bears turned the 3-2 deficit into an 8-4 lead scoring six of the next seven points. After a kill by Crowl slowed the run, CSP reeled off the next eight points to move ahead 16-5. Down the stretch Bjerklie and Mertz combined for a block and a kill by Mertz weren't enough with Concordia-St. Paul taking the third set 25-12 and the match at 3-0.
Bjerklie led BSU with four kills, with Mertz and Crowl adding three apiece. Emily Wade had eight assists. Crowl, Justesen and Wade added four digs apiece, while Bjerklie and Mertz each had a block.
Bemidji State will turn around and face Minnesota State on Saturday morning in Mankato starting at 11 a.m. The Mavericks defeated Minnesota Crookston 3-0 on Friday night.
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).
