BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Volleyball (15-7, 7-7 NSIC) defeated the University Sioux Falls (8-14, 4-10 NSIC) 3-1 on Friday, taking the match 25-20, 15-25, 26-24, 25-21. The Beavers posted 16 kills in each of the final two sets and finished with 54 kills, six service aces and 11 blocks.
The Beavers finished with 54 kills and 71.0 points compared with 52 kills and 65.0 points for the Cougars, while also holding an 11-9 edge in total blocks and a 6-4 edge in aces. Sioux Falls hit .230 to Bemidji State's .204 and had 51 digs to BSU's 47, giving the match a statistical contrast despite the Beavers' production advantages.
Ava Athman anchored the attack with 24 kills, a .365 hitting percentage and 27.0 points, with
Madison Tripp recording 44 assists.
The Beavers created separation late in the first set with four straight points, moving from a 15-14 edge to a 19-14 lead behind an Athman kill and a Tripp block. The Beavers kept the Cougars from tying the set again, and
Ella Kratochvil put down the final two BSU kills in a 25-20 set win.
After Sioux Falls scored the first five points and built a 10-2 advantage in the second set, Bemidji State spent the set trying to recover. Athman provided six kills, including two during a three-point BSU stretch that ended with
Anna Paquette's service ace and made it 17-13. Sioux Falls followed with four straight points and finished the set 25-15.
Bemidji State closed the third set by taking the final two points after Sioux Falls tied it at 24, getting a Sioux Falls ball-handling error before
Isabella Vander Velden's service ace finished a 26-24 set win. Athman helped the Beavers answer late pressure with kills that put them ahead 22-21 and 23-22.
The Beavers broke from a 12-12 tie in the fourth set as
Anna Paquette served through three straight Cougar errors to put the Beavers ahead 15-12. Athman followed with two kills during a push to 18-13, and BSU answered late USF points with kills from
Nevaeh Carlson and Kratochvil. Kratochvil finished the set with a kill from Tripp, giving the Beavers the fourth set 25-21.
Athman led the Beavers with 24 kills and 27.0 points, ranking third in kills in the Beavers' single-match record book. Athman hit at .365 while adding two service aces and six digs. Tripp finished with 44 assists, eight digs and three total blocks.
Ava Boelter collected a team-high 16 digs and added two service aces.
Grace Hoffard posted a team-best five total blocks, including three solo blocks.
The Beavers are 15-7 overall and 7-7 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Sioux Falls is 8-14 overall and 4-10 in NSIC play. Up next, BSU hosts No. 10 Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. at BSU Gymnasium in Bemidji, Minn.
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).
