BSU Volleyball hosts first matches since 2019

After going 0-8 during the non-conference portion of its schedule, the Bemidji State University volleyball team hosts its first volleyball match since Nov. 9, 2019 to begin Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The Beavers (0-8, 0-0 NSIC) begin a three-match homestand by first hosting No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State University Friday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m., followed by University of Sioux Falls Saturday at 1 p.m.

Bemidji State will then host No. 23 St. Cloud State University for a mid-week matchup Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.

The Beavers return to Bemidji after previously traveling to Indianapolis, Ind., where the Beavers went 0-4 at the UIndy Invite this past weekend. BSU began the tournament by falling in three competitive sets to Wheeling University and then fell in a thrilling five-set match to Missouri University Science & Technology. The Beavers then concluded the tournament with a pair of three set losses to Cedarville University and Northern Michigan University.

Bemidji State was led by senior Anna Averkamp who totaled 43 kills and a 3.07 k/s average during the tournament while freshman Emily Wade coordinated the Beavers’ attack and recorded 124 assists to average 8.85 a/s.

Averkamp leads the Beavers’ attack this season and has totaled 69 kills in 26 sets for a 2.65 k/s average while sohpmore Rylie Bjerklie follows with 50 kills and a 1.85 k/s average while also pacing the team by hitting at a .240 clip. Fellow sophomore Hallie Mertz is third on the team with 34 kills to average 2.12 k/s and is second on the team with a .181 hitting percentage.

Wade paces the Beavers’ setters with 205 assists for a 7.59 a/s average which stands 12th in the NSIC. She has also added 58 digs on defense for second on the team while sophomore Madison Weyker leads the Beavers’ defense with 118 digs and a 4.37 d/s average. Weyker ranks seventh in the league in digs per set. At the net, Bjerklie paces the team with 16 blocks (0s-16a) while freshman Lauren Sitter follows with 13 (0s-13a).

Bemidji State ranks 14th in the NSIC by hitting at a .119 (279-171-905) efficiency as a team and 13th by averaging 10.33 kills per set. The Beavers allow opponents to hit at a .265 (362-120-913) efficiency which is 15th in the league while opponents are averaging 13.41 kills per set against the Beavers which is also 15th in the conference.