Blue Hawks drop pair of matches to kick off season in Hastings

DICKINSON, N.D. – Junior McKenzie Moser gathered 33 total kills over the two matches, but Dickinson State fell to Bethel (Kan.), 3-1, and Kansas Wesleyan, 3-0, to kick off the 2023 season in Hastings, Nebraska on Friday.

The Blue Hawks got off to a good start, taking the first set from Bethel, 25-20, and held a 17-16 lead late in the second before a 9-2 run by the Threshers tied the match at 1-1. Bethel took the third set by an identical 25-19 score before closing out the match with a dramatic 26-24 fourth set.

Makayah Albrecht joined Moser in double digit kills with 12, while Lexi Puev chipped in six. Moser led the Blue Hawks in digs with 13 to collect her first double-double of the season, and senior setter Bailey Pearcy added 12 digs to go along with her match-high 29 assists.

Moser secured her second straight double-double with 17 kills and 11 digs against Kansas Wesleyan in the night cap, but the Blue Hawks couldn't keep up with the high-powered Coyotes, falling in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-20).

Haydin Henschel turned in a strong defensive performance, gathering 16 digs to go along with seven assists.

Freshman setter Rylee Kogolshak turned in a team-high 19 assists in her second game with the Blue Hawks, while Pearcy added 16 of her own.

The Blue Hawks will continue their opening weekend with a Saturday doubleheader against College of Saint Mary and Mid-America Christian.