MOORHEAD, Minn. — Bemidji State University (5-13, 2-8 NSIC) fell to Minnesota State University Moorhead (12-6, 6-4 NSIC) in four sets on Thursday evening at Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn., with scores of 21-25, 13-25, 25-23, 22-25.
 
The opening set began with Bemidji State taking an early lead with a kill from Lily Riese, assisted by Madison Tripp. However, MSU Moorhead quickly responded with a series of service aces from Brooke Bowen, establishing a lead. The Beavers' Ava Athman contributed multiple kills throughout the set, keeping the visitors in contention. Despite Bemidji State's efforts, including a late surge with four consecutive points featuring kills by Athman and a service ace, MSU Moorhead maintained their advantage. The set concluded with MSU Moorhead securing a 25-21 victory, as Bemidji State closed the gap but was unable to overcome the deficit.
 
The second set saw a tightly contested opening as Bemidji State kept pace early, with Riese and Athman contributing key kills to maintain a level scoreline at various points. However, a series of service errors and attack errors allowed MSU Moorhead to gradually pull ahead. The Dragons capitalized on Bemidji State's miscues, extending their lead through a combination of service aces and effective attacks. Despite a late push from the Beavers, highlighted by consecutive service aces from Anna Paquette, MSU Moorhead closed the set with a decisive 25-13 advantage.
 
Bemidji State opened the third set on a strong note, with Grace Hoffard initiating the scoring off an assist from Tripp. The visitors quickly built a 3-0 lead following an ace by Ava Boelter. Despite an attack error, Bemidji State maintained momentum with Riese and Hoffard contributing to a 5-1 advantage. The Beavers extended their lead to 10-5, highlighted by service aces from Paquette and Athman. Hoffard's block against Maci Martini and another ace from Kylie Struble pushed the score to 13-7. Although MSU Moorhead briefly closed the gap, a kill by Riese and a block from Athman helped Bemidji State maintain a 17-11 edge. As the Dragons threatened with a comeback, closing the score to 20-20, Bemidji State responded with crucial kills from Ella Kratochvil and Riese. The visitors secured the set 25-23 after a final attack by Riese, capping a resilient performance.
 
In the fourth set, Bemidji State quickly responded after an initial service error by Struble, with Riese delivering a series of four consecutive kills, assisted by Tripp, to take a 4-1 lead. Despite the Beavers' early momentum, MSU Moorhead capitalized on a few attack errors to level the score at 5-5 and then pulled ahead following a service ace. Bemidji State regained composure as Athman and Hoffard secured crucial kills to keep the score within reach at 14-12. However, MSU Moorhead's Raiah Mandell and Martini executed key plays to extend their lead to 17-12. Bemidji State pushed back with contributions from Athman and Riese, closing the gap to 19-18. As the set neared its conclusion, MSU Moorhead capitalized on Bemidji State's errors, pushing the score to 24-19. Although Bemidji State rallied with a late surge, closing to 24-22 with help from Hoffard and forced errors by the Dragons, MSU Moorhead secured the set and the match at 25-22 after a final block on Riese.
 
Athman led Bemidji State with 14 kills, contributing to her total of 18 points, and added two blocks over four sets. Riese tallied 17 kills and one block, also collecting 18 points. Tripp recorded an impressive 24 assists and completed the match with 10 digs. Paquette served four aces and gathered 13 digs, highlighting her defensive performance.
 
The Beavers will face Minnesota Crookston at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at BSU Gymnasium in Bemidji, Minn. The match will celebrate the Beavers' Block Out Cancer Match, focusing on cancer awareness and raising money for the Joe Lueken Cancer Center. Tickets are available online at Hometown Ticketing and in person. The match will be streamed on the NSIC Network and with Kevin Reid on the call for the Beaver Radio Network. 
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Volleyball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversVB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like 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 and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).