Bemidji State University

BEMIDJI, Minn. — The Bemidji State University Volleyball team made history Saturday morning, defeating Minnesota State University 3-0 for its first victory over the Mavericks since 2015 and the program's first three-set sweep in the all-time series. The Beavers captured the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference match by scores of 25-20, 27-25 and 30-28 at the BSU Gymnasium.
 
The victory improved the Beavers to 14-5 overall and 6-5 in conference play and maintain their position of eighth in the NSIC standings, while the Mavericks fell to 7-12 overall and 5-6 in the NSIC.
 
Ava Athman powered the historic victory with a match-high 20 kills while committing just two errors on 34 attacks. The sophomore hit an outstanding .529 and added five digs and a block assist to finish with 20.5 points. Ella Kratochvil followed with 14 kills and a .480 hitting percentage, while Nevaeh Carlson added 12 kills.
 
The Beavers produced one of their strongest offensive performances of the season, totaling 50 kills and only 11 attack errors for a .364 hitting percentage. They hit above .340 in all three sets, including a match-best .389 percentage during the second.
 
Madison Tripp directed the Bemidji State offense with 46 assists and delivered a match-high five service aces. She also recorded five digs, one kill and a block assist. The Beavers finished with eight service aces, compared with seven by the Mavericks.
 
Bemidji State overcame an early four-point deficit in the opening set after Minnesota State built an 8-4 advantage. The Beavers answered with four consecutive points to even the set, and an Athman kill later gave BSU its first lead at 10-9. Holding an 18-17 edge, the Beavers used a 4-0 run highlighted by a Tripp ace and another Athman kill to pull away. Kratochvil closed the 25-20 victory with a kill.
 
The Mavericks appeared poised to even the match after opening a 20-14 lead in the second set. Bemidji State responded with a 10-3 run, drawing even at 22-22 on an Athman kill before fighting off two Minnesota State set points. Kratochvil tied the frame for the final time at 25-25, and the Beavers secured the final two points, with Carlson delivering the clinching kill for a 27-25 victory.
 
Bemidji State displayed the same resilience in a back-and-forth third set that featured 19 ties and seven lead changes. The Beavers trailed 19-14 before scoring six of the next seven points to draw even at 20. Minnesota State earned four set-point opportunities down the stretch, but BSU answered each one.
 
With the set tied 28-28, Bemidji State moved within one point of the sweep on a Minnesota State setting error. Tripp then finished the match from the service line, recording her fifth ace to complete the 30-28 victory and secure the historic sweep.
 
Ava Boelter anchored the Bemidji State defense with a match-high 16 digs and added two assists and an ace. Kayla Gallagher contributed nine digs and an ace, while Isabella Vander Velden led the Beavers at the net with four block assists. Bemidji State finished the match with 45 digs and four team blocks.
 
The three-set thriller featured 31 combined ties and 10 lead changes.
 
The Beavers will next hit the road and travel to Wayne State College and Augustana University next weekend, Oct. 16-17.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State volleyball program tickets or schedules visit BSUBeavers.com. Be sure to follow the Beavers on their social media channels on X, Instagram or like them on Facebook.
 
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—