Bemidji State University

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Senior Ava Athman totaled a match-high 18 kills and hit .586 as the Bemidji State University Volleyball team closed the 2026 season with a 3-0 victory over Minot State University Saturday at BSU Gymnasium. The Beavers earned the sweep by scores of 25-16, 25-16 and 25-22.
 
Bemidji State finished the 2026 season 18-10 overall and 10-10 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. Its 18 wins are the most since 1999 and most in the Beavers Division II era while its 10-10 conference season is the first time since 1999 the Beavers went .500 or better in conference play. Bemidji State finishes ninth in the NSIC standings, its highest finish 2009.
 
The Beavers produced one of their strongest offensive performances of the season, totaling 50 kills with only seven attacking errors on 115 attempts for a .374 hitting percentage. Bemidji State held Minot State to 33 kills and a .204 hitting percentage.
 
Bemidji State established control immediately by scoring the first five points of the opening set. Nevaeh Carlson and Athman combined for four kills during the run, with Madison Tripp assisting on each.
 
The Beavers later used a five-point run to extend their lead from 12-10 to 17-10. Ella Kratochvil, Isabella Vander Velden and Athman each recorded kills during the stretch before Carlson closed the set with a kill for the 25-16 victory. Bemidji State totaled 22 kills and committed just one error while hitting .467 in the opening frame.
 
Bemidji State carried that momentum into the second set. After building a 5-3 advantage, Athman served three consecutive aces during a four-point run that pushed the lead to 9-3. The Beavers never allowed Minot State closer than five points the rest of the way and took another 25-16 victory.
 
The third set featured seven ties and two lead changes. Bemidji State held an 18-14 lead before Minot State used a 6-2 run to tie the set at 20. Carlson answered with a kill, and Athman followed with another to restore a 22-20 advantage.
 
Minot State pulled within one twice during the closing points, but a kill from Tripp gave the Beavers match point at 24-22. Kratochvil then finished the match with her eighth kill, securing the 25-22 victory and straight-set sweep.
 
Athman committed just one attacking error on 29 swings and added 11 digs, three service aces and one solo block. Her 22 points were the most by either player in the match.
 
Carlson followed with 13 kills and two digs, while Kratochvil produced eight kills and hit .304. Vander Velden added seven kills without an error on 15 attempts for a .467 hitting percentage.
 
Tripp directed the offense with 37 assists and added eight digs. Ava Boelter paced the back row with 13 digs, five assists and two service aces, while Anna Paquette and Athman each collected 11 digs.
 
Bemidji State finished with advantages in kills, 50-33, assists, 47-33, digs, 56-50, and service aces, 5-4. The victory completed the Beavers' 2026 campaign with an 18-10 overall record and 10-10 in NSIC play.
 
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).
 
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