BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Volleyball team jumped out to the two-set lead, but Augustana fought back winning the next three to defeat the Beavers 3-2 (22-25, 16-25, 25-23, 29-27, 15-12) Friday night in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play inside the BSU Gym.
It was a career-high 19 kills for Rylie Bjerklie on the night. She hit .417 for the match. Bemidji State (8-15, 5-10 NSIC) had four with double-digit kills. Ashley Crowl added 15, Hallie Mertz with 13 and Lilly Bandle with 10. There were several with double doubles on the night. Crowl had 15 digs and Mertz added 14 digs for their double doubles, while Emily Wade had 53 assists and 10 digs. Mertz and Hannah Kos each spun in four service aces. Lauren Justesen had a team-high 21 digs. Bjerklie and Kos had five blocks, while Bandle added four.
BSU had 64 kills to 27 errors in 181 chances (.204), while Augustana (10-15, 7-9 NSIC) had 58 kills to 27 errors in 172 chances (.180).
With the opening set even at five, the Beavers reeled off the next seven points to break open the set. Bjerklie and Kos started the run with a block. Crowl added a kill and following a double block by Wade and Bjerklie, Kos spun in a pair of service aces for the 12-5 lead. The Vikings didn't go away, fighting back to tie on several occasions, including late in the set at 22. Bemidji State regrouped and closed strong with Bjerklie posting two straight kills before Crowl ended the set with a kill at 25-22.
Augustana pulled out to the early 8-5 lead in the second set. BSU answered with seven of the next nine points to take the 12-10 lead. Crowl helped end the spurt with two kills, with Bandle closing with a kill at 12-10. Ahead at 18-15, the Beavers started to pull away scoring five straight points and seven of the final eight points to win the set. Bjerklie started the run with a kill. Then Mertz got hot from the service line with a trio of aces. Crowl and Bandle then closed the set out with consecutive kills for the 25-16 set win.
BSU controlled set three early at 12-7 with Crowl posting a kill and then double block by Kos and Bandle stretching the advantage to five. The lead moved out the five at 15-10 with Bandle and Bjerklie collecting kills. Crowl and Bandle helped keep the Beavers ahead down the stretch at 22-19 before the Vikings stormed back. Four straight points pushed Augustana to the lead before Bjerklie tied it at 23. The Vikings collected a kill and service ace to win the third set at 25-23.
The Beavers responded to start the fourth set with Kos, Bjerklie and Mertz coming away with early points for the 6-2 lead. Augustana swung momentum back in their favor to move ahead at 10-8. Bemidji State used several errors by the Vikings during a 6-2 run in which BSU tallied only a kill to move ahead at 17-13. The Beavers kept pushing in front at 20-17 on a kill by Bjerklie. Augustana responded by scoring five of the next six points for the 22-21 lead. BSU moved to match point at 24-23, before the Vikings extended the match. BSU would move to match point at 25-24 on a kill by Wade and then at 26-25 on a kill by Bjerklie. Augustana then answered with two straight points to move to set point, before Mertz extended the set at 27-all. The Vikings then won the set after two straight attacking errors by the Beavers for the 29-27 fourth set win.
In the decisive fifth set, Augustana had the early 3-0 advantage. Bemidji State took the lead at 6-5 on a kill by Bjerklie after another ace by Mertz. BSU moved out to an 8-6 lead on an attacking error. Augustana then went on a 6-1 run to take the 12-9 lead. BSU fought back with the next two points, including a double block by Mertz and Bandle at 12-11. Augustana kept coming, moving to set point at 14-11 and after Mertz pushed the match to another point, the Vikings won on a service error at 15-12.
Bemidji State will continue the homestand facing No. 1 Wayne State on Saturday afternoon starting at 4 p.m. The five BSU seniors (Rylie Bjerklie, Lauren Justesen, Madison Weyker, Rilee Michaelson and Hallie Mertz will all be honored prior to the match.
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).
