BISMARCK, N.D. – History was made inside the Armory on Saturday afternoon as the Bismarck State College volleyball team claimed its first-ever Frontier Conference victory, defeating Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 3–1 (25–16, 18–25, 25–17, 25–20) in the first meeting between the two programs.

The Mystics (3–13 overall, 1–10 Frontier) delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, hitting .211 as a team and holding the Battlin' Bears (1–15, 0–11) to just .108. BSC dominated the net and the back row, out-blocking Rocky 14–10 and digging 65 attacks in front of a lively home crowd, one that rose to their feet for the match point, knowing the implications.

"This one means a lot," said head coach Kyle Kuether. "It's not just a win—it's proof that we can compete in this conference. The team showed grit and composure from start to finish."

Balanced Attack Leads the Way

Five Mystics finished with seven or more kills in a balanced offensive showing that kept the Bears off balance throughout the afternoon.

• Reese Duchsherer posted a double-double with 12 kills and 15 digs, leading all players with 13 total points.

• Chelsa Krom hit .333 with nine kills, two aces and two blocks for 12 points.

• McKenna Brendel added nine kills on a .304 clip along with a solo block.

• Paige McAllister chipped in seven kills and three block assists, and Dedra Wood tallied seven kills of her own.

Setting and Defense Shine

The setting duo of Kate Zimmer (23 assists, six digs) and Delaney Deschamp (18 assists, one ace, five digs) kept BSC's offense in rhythm and distributed the attack efficiently.

Defensively, Piper Harris led all players with 18 digs and two service aces, while Duchsherer added 15 digs and strong passing in the backcourt. Summer Thomas was a force at the net with five block assists, and Krom added two more to slow down Rocky's offense.

How It Happened

Bismarck State jumped out fast, hitting .321 in the opening set and cruising to a 25–16 win behind an early serving run from Deschamp. Rocky responded with a 25–18 win in the second to even the match, capitalizing on Mystic errors.

The third set belonged to the Mystics, who hit .324 and never trailed after a 10–10 tie. Duchsherer and Brendel combined for nine kills in the frame as the Mystics reasserted control. In the fourth, a 5–1 surge midway through the set gave BSC the cushion it needed, and the Mystics sealed the historic victory with a kill from Krom that brought a roar out of the Armory crowd that was already on its feet.

Looking Ahead

The win not only marks Bismarck State's first-ever Frontier Conference victory but also its first head-to-head matchup with long-established NAIA member Rocky Mountain College, a key milestone in the Mystics' inaugural season competing at the four-year level. This was also the first home win of the season, in what will be the final year of competition in the Armory, with the anticipated completion of the Bavendick Center in 2026.

The Mystics will look to build off this momentum as they gear up for two tough opponents in next weekend's road trip. They head to Madison, S.D. to take on (RV) Dakota State (11-5, 7-4) on Friday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. before heading to Bellevue, Neb., to take on No. 8 Bellevue (13-3, 9-2) on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m.

Check out the volleyball schedule for updates and coverage for upcoming games.
 

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.

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