Blue Hawks put scare into #15 Bellevue but come up just short

BELLEVUE, NEB. - The Blue Hawks put a scare in to the 15th ranked Bruins from Bellevue University (21-6, 9-1 NSAA) jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the match, but the hosts were able to come all the way back to take the match 3-2 (18-25, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-8). The loss moves Dickinson State to 4-19 (2-8 NSAA) on the season.

Mackenna Johnson had a season-high 19 kills for the Blue Hawks, including the set ending kills in both of the first two sets, but it wasn't quite enough to push past the high powered Bruins. DSU hit .393 in the first set, and .448 in the second, to push the North Star leaders to the brink of defeat. Unfortunately for Dickinson State the Bruin defense was able to recover, as the Blue Hawks didn't hit higher than .145 the rest of the way.

After jumping out to a 2-0 lead with dominating performances, the Blue Hawks were unable to keep their momentum as the Bruins led set three from start to finish. Dickinson State held an early 12-11 lead in set four, but Bellevue was able to take over from their and pull away. DSU tried to make things interesting as they turned a 24-19 deficit to 24-23 on another kill from Johnson, but the Bruins got a kill on the next play to end the set. The Blue Hawks jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the fifth, and deciding, set but it was all Bellevue from there as they cruised to a 15-8 victory.

Haydin Henschel was the only other Blue Hawk hitter with double-digit kills, adding 11. McKenzie Moser and Madi Wahl each had nine kills, while Brooklyn Wyllie chipped in six. Jenna Swope led the defense with 19 digs while Moser added 12 of her own. Setter Bailey Pearcy had 45 assists to pilot the Blue Hawk offense.

WHATS NEXT

The Blue Hawks will return home next week as they take on Viterbo University (10/27) and Waldorf University (10/28) at Scott Gymnasium. Both matches will start at 6:00 pm MT.