BEMIDJI, Minn. — Bemidji State University Volleyball heads back to North Dakota this weekend, this time to open the 2026 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule with Minot State University and University of Mary. 
 
The Beavers are just one of 15 teams in NCAA Division II with no losses this season, going 8-0 through the first two weeks of play. BSU is on an 18-set winning streak, that began with a 3-1 win over Montana State University Billings on August 29 at the UMary Marauders First Serve Invitational. Since that match, the Beavers have swept the past five matches.
 
Offensively, the Beavers are led in scoring by senior Ava Athman who has grabbed 108 points so far this season. Athman has marked 85 kills, 14 aces and 16 blocks to earn her the top spot on the team. Just behind Athman is junior Ella Kratochvil with 106.5 points, coming from 100 kills, three aces and six blocks. Setting up the Beavers for success, sophomore setter Madison Tripp leads with 270 assists, averaging 9.64 per set. Tripp has also amassed 12 service aces and 30.5 points for BSU. At the net, Isabella Vander Velden leads the way with 19 blocks, 18 assisted and one solo. Libero Ava Boelter leads from the back row with 90 digs and 121 receptions.
 
The NSIC schedule starts with the Battle of the Beavers Friday night as BSU takes on Minot State at 6 p.m. Minot State is 3-5 so far this season, coming off a 2-2 split weekend at the Cameron University Invitational in Lawton, Okla. last week. During the tournament, MSU brought Cameron University and Northeastern State University to five sets, winning the final set against NSU 15-5. 
 
Caton Pearcy leads MSU on the attack with 82 kills this season, set up by the Beavers' lead setter Logan Drennan who has grabbed 278 assists. Drennan also leads Minot State in service aces this season with 13. In the back row, Pearcy and Maya Vibeto lead the charge with 115 and 154 digs, respectively. Finally, at the net Kiera Hayes takes the top blocking spot with 21 total blocks so far this season. 
 
After Bemidji State gave Mary its first loss on day two of their own tournament two weeks ago, the Marauders are now 2-6 this season, sitting on a five-match losing streak. The Marauders ended their tournament 2-2, but were then swept at Augustana University's Sioux Falls Volleyball Tournament last week. Mary fell in straight sets to Augustana, Emporia State University, Chadron State College and Black Hills State University, who they had beaten 3-2 the week prior. 
 
Leading the attack for the Marauders is Judith Burke with 88 kills, followed by Gabrielle Reynolds with 70. Setting the pair up has been junior Natalie Boehmer with 292 assists. At the service line, Dani Highum leads the Marauders with 11 service aces, followed closely by Boehmer with eight. Defensively, Karina Hixon leads the charge from the back row with 87 digs and Holli Klettheimer leads from the net with 22.0 blocks this season. 
 
The Beavers will get their first taste of the 2026 NSIC competition on their home court next week as they host three matches against University of Jamestown, Northern State University (Parent's Night) and University of Minnesota Duluth. Streaming for all NSIC contests is available here.
 
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).