MINOT/BISMARCK, N.D. – The Bemidji State University Volleyball team, putting together the most wins since the 2010 season, will conclude the 2023 season this week in North Dakota facing Minot State on Friday at 6 p.m. and Mary on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The eight wins for the Beavers this season are the most since 2010 when Bemidji State won 12. This year, BSU is 8-16 overall and 5-11 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. This past weekend, the Beavers just fell short in five sets against Augustana, which is the second time in 20 meetings in which BSU has pushed the Vikings to five sets and would've been the first win over Augustana in program history. Then against No. 1 Wayne State, the Wildcats were able to collect the 3-0 win, as the Beavers made a push to go four sets.
This is the second time BSU will see Minot State and Mary this season. Towards the end of September, BSU defeated Mary and Minot State by 3-0 scores at home.
On the season, Bemidji State has 1,064 kills, 979 assists, 158 service aces, 1,184 digs and 143 blocks. Ashley Crowl, Rylie Bjerklie and Hallie Mertz are all over 200 kills with Crowl leading the team with 227. Bjerklie adds 221 and Mertz with 209. Emily Wade has 740 assists. Mertz and Crowl are now over 40 service aces with Mertz tallying 42 and Crowl with 41.
Lauren Justesen leads the back row with 416 digs, with Crowl adding 201. Bjerklie has sent back 57 blocks, with Lilly Bandle adding 48.
Career notes: Justesen recently passed 700 digs. In 200 sets played, Justesen has 777 digs, averaging 3.88 per set. Mertz recently eclipsed 500 kills in her career and now has 532 in 221 sets. Wade continues her push for 2,000 career assists and is now at 1,832. Bjerklie is closing in on 500 career kills and is now at 456. Sitter recently went over 400 career kills and is now at 401. Crowl just went past 350 kills and now has 360 on the season.
Minot State is 2-24 overall and 1-15 in NSIC play, going 0-7 at home. The last win for Minot State was back on Sept. 22 at Minnesota Crookston in five sets. Emily Kotelnikoff leads the offense with 148 kills, with Sydney Upton adding 126. Jaina Macaulay sets up the offense with 405 assists. On defense, Kendal Braun has 318 digs and Bailee Brommenschenkel has sent back 51 blocks.
Bemidji State leads the series 12-7 since 2001 and have won five straight. BSU is 5-4 in Minot and have won the last two road meetings. Bemidji State has won the last four meetings all in 3-0 sweeps.
To close the trip, Bemidji State will face Mary on Saturday afternoon. The Marauders are 8-18 overall and 3-13 in NSIC play, going 2-5 at home. Mary pulled out the big upset win in their last match defeating Minnesota State in Mankato in five sets. Mary also defeated Augustana in straight sets on Oct. 20. Ally Gruber leads the offense with 242 kills, with Nehkyah Ellis adding 227. Kameron Selvig has 722 assists. Kaia Sueker leads the back row with 403 digs and Alexandria Harper has sent back 73 blocks, with Maddie Cooper adding 70.
Bemidji State leads the series 17-14 since 1987 and hold a one-game winning streak from the first meeting this season. The teams have alternated wins the past four meetings. BSU is 7-11 in Bismarck.
The matches will be broadcasted on the NSIC Network and there will be live stats for each match. Live video can be found here and live stats can be found here.
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).
