BISMARCK, N.D. – The Bemidji State University Volleyball team reached 10 wins in a season for the first time since 2010 following their 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-19, 27-25) road win at Mary on Saturday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play.
Bemidji State improved to 10-16 overall and 7-11 in NSIC play, marking the most wins in a season since the 2010 team went 12-16.
"First of all, Steph Remley and I are really thankful for our seniors. They've all battled through a lot as individuals and as a team," head coach Kevin Ulmer said. "They all deserve a lot of credit for the progress of this season and for completing their careers, when others didn't. This season would not have gone this way without them."
The senior class for 2023 includes Hallie Mertz, Rilee Michaelson, Madison Weyker, Lauren Justesen and Rylie Bjerklie.
"Secondly, Steph has done an amazing job at Bemidji State. She's a tremendous coach, teacher and friend. We have more work to do, but she deserves a lot of credit. This is a demanding job, it's a grind, but she's always up for the challenge," Ulmer said.
The Beavers made great strides in 2023 collecting seven NSIC wins which is the most conference wins since the 2003 team won seven. The 2002 team won eight conference contests.
"Finally, we made progress in the league this year, but still not at the level we're capable of. It's the best league in the nation and we're poised to keep moving forward. I'm excited for that future. Our returners and incoming class have to keep that focus this coming spring and fall," Ulmer said.
On Saturday afternoon, Bemidji State held off a tough challenge from an upstart Marauders (9-19, 4-14 NSIC) team.
Bemidji State jumped out to the 9-3 lead in the first set. Ashley Crowl tallied three kills during a 6-0 run that left BSU with the 9-3 lead. The Beavers still held the 13-9 lead when Mary surged back with an 8-2 run to take the 17-15 lead. Mary pushed out to the 22-20 lead when the Beavers made their move. Mertz and Lilly Bandle combined for four straight kills to move BSU to set point at 24-22. After the Marauders kept the set alive with a kill, Bandle ended the first set with a kill at 25-23.
BSU moved out to the 14-10 lead in the second set with Crowl, Rylie Bjerklie and Emily Wade tallied points during a 4-0 run. The teams then battled the rest of the way. Tying at 17, 18 and then again at 19. BSU tried to pull away with three straight points on a pair of errors and then a service ace by Lauren Sitter at 21-19. Mary evened the set at 21 and after Crowl pushed the Beavers in front at 22-21, the Marauders finished the set on a 4-0 run for the 25-22 second set win.
The first 34 points of the third set were split with the teams tied at 17. The Beavers then got the first run of the set to pull away. A kill by Mertz helped ignite a 6-0 spurt. Bandle added three kills and after a kill by Crowl, Bandle and Sitter combined for a block at 23-17. Mary scored the next two points before the Beavers closed the third set with a kill by Bandle and then an attacking error by Mary moved BSU to the set at 25-19.
The fourth set was similar as the first 34 points were split even again with the teams tied at 17. After BSU tallied the next two points for the 19-17 lead on kills by Bjerklie, Mary evened the set at 19. A pair of errors by the Marauders had the Beavers in front at 21-19. Mary then answered with four of the next five points for the 23-22 lead. A kill by Mertz and a bad set by Mary moved BSU to match point at 24-23. Mary turned the tables with the next two points to move to set point at 25-24. Kills by Sitter and Crowl set the table for a service ace by Lauren Justesen to clinch the match at 27-25.
Bemidji State had four in double-digits in kills with Mertz leading the way with 16. Crowl added 15, Bandle with 14 and then Bjerklie with 12. Wade dished out 56 assists. On defense, Justesen had 20 digs, Crowl made it a double-double with 16 digs, Sitter with 12 and Wade a double-double with 11 digs. Bandle sent back six blocks and Sitter added five.
Bemidji State had 69 kills to 24 errors in 162 chances (.278), while Mary had 48 kills to 13 errors in 139 chances (.252).
For more information on the Bemidji State volleyball program, follow the Beavers on X (@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).
