Dickinson N.D. – Dickinson State gave #8 Bellevue everything they could handle, falling 3-2 (25-13, 24-26, 25-14, 19-25, 15-12), in a thrilling match Saturday morning in Scott Gymnasium.
After Bellevue dominated the first set, DSU was able to keep pace in the second frame, going point-for-point with the nationally ranked Bruins. With the score tied 11-11, the Blue Hawks got an ace from Madi Wahl, a kill from McKenzie Moser, and a block by Moser and Abby Suiter, to take a 14-11 lead. BU was able to fight back to tie the set at 24-24, but a service error from the Bruins was followed by a kill from Makyah Albrecht to clinch the set in the Blue Hawks favor.
Bellevue bounced back in the third set to take a 2-1 lead in the match, but a strong fourth set by the Blue Hawks forced a fifth, and deciding, set.
The two teams traded points to start the set and DSU took an 8-7 lead on a kill from Scarlette Schwindt to trigger the change of sides.
After the side change, however, Bellevue put together a quick 3-0 run to make it 10-8 Bruins and held their lead the rest of the way. The Blue Hawks got within a point a number of times down the stretch, but BU always had an answer to close out the match.
Moser led the Blue Hawks with a game-high 22 kills, while chipping in 13 digs, and Schwindt added 12 kills of her own in a strong performance by DSU's two leading hitters. Setter Rylee Kogolshak had 38 assists and 12 digs and committed just one error for DSU.
"I am so proud of how the ladies played today!" said head coach Stormy Siemion. "Coming out and battling a top 10 ranked team is something to be excited about. Our block went the extra mile and made the adjustments to help keep us battling in the game. Defense is one of our top strengths and it really showed today."