GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Bemidji State University volleyball team opened the 2024 Hampton Inn and Suites Grand Rapids Downtown Classic with a pair of victories Friday night by defeating Glenville State University and Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
The Beavers (4-2) earned a 3-0 victory over Glenville State early in the morning before rallying to win 3-2 over host school Davenport later that evening. The Beavers have now won three straight games and improve to 4-2 to start the season.
 
Senior Ashley Crowl paced the Beavers totaling 27 kills over the two matches including 18 in the Beavers victory over Davenport. She was followed by fifth-year senior Rylie Bjerklie who totaled 24 kills while senior Emily Wade earned 71 assists. Junior Jada Wlodarczyk led the Beavers' defense with 36 digs including a career-best 20 in match two.
 
Bjerklie paced the team in match one hitting .429 with 11 kills in 21 attacks while Crowl followed with nine kills on 28 attacks. In match two, the Beavers offense was run through Crowl who totaled a career-high 77 attacks which is the third most in program history for a single match. She finished the match with 18 kills while Bjerklie followed with 13.
 
Bemidji State will now travel to the campus of Grand Valley State where the Beavers will face Saginaw Valley State University and the No. 19 Lakers tomorrow at 9 a.m., and 3:00 p.m., respectively.
 
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).
 
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