BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University will make its home debut this weekend at the BSU Gymnasium and hosts No. 15 University of Minnesota Duluth Thursday, Sept. 26 and No. 12 St. Cloud State University, Saturday in part of BSU Homecoming festivities.
 
The Beavers also open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play during the weekend after going 5-3 during non-conference play.
 
The Beavers want to thank their fans for their support during this difficult time after losing head coach Kevin Ulmer to a lengthy battle with cancer. If you wish to support the Ulmer family, please consider donating the "NSIC Volleyball Rally for the Ulmer Family" fundraiser. QR codes to the fundraiser will be posted throughout the gymnasium and can also be accessed, here.
 
Senior Ashley Crowl led the Beavers' attack during non-conference play averaging 4.17 points per set and has totaled 106 kills on 338 attacks while hitting at a .124 clip. She is seventh in the NSIC averaging 3.31 kills per set and is third in points per set. She has also been deadly on the serve and leads the NSIC averaging 0.59 aces per set while raking up 19 aces so far this season.
 
Fifth-year senior Rylie Bjerklie dominates the middle for the Beavers. She is second on the team averaging 3.34 points per set and ranks 20^th in the conference while her 90 kills this season are second most on the team and her 2.81 kills per set average is just outside the top 20 standing 21^st. She has been the most efficient hitter for the Beavers this season hitting at a .307 clip which ranks 16^th in the NSIC.
 
Senior Emily Wade has coordinated the Beavers' attack and has tallied 266 assists in 32 sets to average 8.31 assists per set, the ninth best average in the conference. She has reached 2,191 assists in her career, the eighth most in program history.
 
Junior Zayda Priebe has led the Beavers' defense at the net. She leads the team with 32 blocks (2s-30a) this season which is nearing a career best mark. She is 15^th in the NSIC in total blocks but sits 11^th averaging 1.00 blocks per set. In the backcourt, junior libero Jada Wlodarczyk leads the team with 116 digs and is 12^th in the conference averaging 3.63 digs per set.
 
The Beavers are 9-102-1 all-time against Minnesota Duluth and 23-52 against St. Cloud State. Minnesota Duluth has won the last 36 matches against the Beavers while BSU earned a 3-1 upset victory over then ranked No. 8 SCSU last year.
 
Minnesota Duluth enters the weekend's action with a 7-2 (0-2 NSIC) record while the Huskies lead the conference standings with an 8-2 (3-0 NSIC) record.
 
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).
 
--bsu—