BISMARCK, N.D. – The Mystics stormed back from a two-set deficit to defeat Montana Western 3–2 (17–25, 20–25, 26–24, 25–22, 16–14) Friday night inside the Armory, thrilling a packed crowd the most dramatic comeback of the season.
With the victory, Bismarck State secured its second conference win and first five-set triumph of the year. After dropping the opening two frames, the Mystics rallied behind a resilient defensive effort and the steady arm of Reese Duchsherer, who posted a match-high 19 kills and 16 digs.
"We had a heart-to-heart in the training room after set two and I challenged them to show us what Mystic Volleyball looks like," said head coach Kyle Kuether when asked about what changed after the second set. "They took that challenge and showed us what I knew was there all season! We are a new Mystic Volleyball team after tonight."
Duchsherer Leads Spirited Comeback
Reese Duchsherer paced the offense with 19 kills, 16 digs and 21 total points, leading a balanced BSC attack that saw four players notch double-digit points.
Chelsa Krom added 10 kills, four block assists and 13 total points, while Emerson Carufel finished with 10 kills, two block assists and 11 points.
McKenna Brendel contributed seven kills and a block assist, and Summer Thomas tallied six kills and a pair of blocks to help swing momentum in the middle sets.
Deschamp Directs the Offense
Sophomore setter Delaney Deschamp orchestrated BSC's comeback with 44 assists, three kills, three service aces and seven digs. The five-foot-seven Dickinson-native also remarkably tallied a block to leave her mark in every statistical category.
Brooklyn Sand anchored the back row with a team-high 17 digs and added a service ace, while Piper Harris provided another steady defensive performance with 16 digs.
The Mystics' improved serve-receive and defensive adjustments after the second set helped neutralize Montana Western's powerful hitters, including standout Averi Look, who tallied 15 kills for the Bulldogs.
How It Happened
Montana Western came out strong, hitting over .400 in the opening frame and taking control early to build a two-set lead. But the Mystics found their rhythm in the third, surviving multiple set points before winning 26–24 on a kill from Duchsherer to spark the comeback.
The fourth set saw BSC maintain its poise, overcoming a late Bulldog push to win 25–22. In the deciding fifth, the Mystics rallied from down 13–12, closing the match on a 4–1 run capped by another Duchsherer kill that sent the Armory crowd into a frenzy.
Looking Ahead
The win marks a key step forward for Bismarck State (4–16 overall, 2–13 Frontier) as it continues its first season of fierce Frontier Conference competition.
The Mystics will look to build on their momentum in their next matchup, returning to the Armory to face the (RV) Montana Tech Orediggers (12-9, 8-7) on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. The Orediggers were upset tonight in Dickinson as the Blue Hawks dominated by winning in straight sets (25-16, 25-22, 26-24).
Check out the volleyball schedule for upcoming matches and coverage throughout the remainder of the season.
Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.
FOLLOW THE MYSTICS
Facebook: @BSCMystics
Instagram: @gomystics
X: @BSCMystics
YouTube: @GoMystics
#GoMystics
