WAYNE, Neb. – The top-ranked Wayne State College Wildcats were able to get past the Bemidji State University Volleyball team by a 3-0 score (25-10, 25-18, 25-17) Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside Rice Auditorium.
Wayne State (16-1, 7-0 NSIC) having just lost once to Concordia-St. Paul and then later defeating the Golden Bears in the rematch, won for the 16th time in 17 matches this season. The Wildcats tallied 40 kills to nine errors in 92 chances (.337). Bemidji State (6-9, 3-4 NSIC) collected 30 kills to 20 errors in 111 chances (.090). BSU posted their best set in the third hitting .257 with 12 kills and three errors.
Hallie Mertz and Ashley Crowl led the offense with seven kills apiece. Emily Wade dished out 25 assists. On defense, Lauren Justesen collected 14 digs, with 10 more from Wade to record the double-double. Lilly Bandle sent back three blocks, with one solo.
BSU started the match strong getting a double block by Lauren Sitter and Bandle. Wayne State then tallied 10 of the next 12 points to move out to the 10-3 advantage. Bandle, Sitter and Mertz collected kills down the stretch, but the Beavers couldn't get back in the set with Wayne State winning at 25-10.
A few errors and then a kill by Crowl had the Beavers to within two at 7-5 in the second set. A Mertz kill and service ace around a kill by Wade helped Bemidji State pull to within one at 15-14. Wayne State answered and started to pull away going on an 11-3 run to take the set at 25-18.
The Wildcats posted the first six points of the third set. BSU fought back to within three at 9-6 on a kill by Mertz. Crowl, Wade and Bandle all had kills towards the middle of the set to pull to within two at 17-15. Following an attacking error had the Beavers to within three at 20-17, Wayne State closed on a 5-0 run to take the third set at 25-17 and the match 3-0.
The road trip continues for Bemidji State as they will play at Augustana on Saturday night starting at 5 p.m. The Vikings 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).
