BILLINGS, Mont. – Bismarck State closed out its inaugural NAIA season with one of its most competitive efforts of the year, but late-set surges from Rocky Mountain College proved costly as the Mystics fell 3–0 (26–24, 25–23, 25–23) on Friday night inside the Fortin Education Center.
The loss ends the season for BSC at 5–22 overall and 3–19 in Frontier Conference play, while Rocky Mountain improved to 3–24 and 2–19.
All three sets were decided by two points and featured double-digit ties, with the Mystics holding late leads in each frame before the Battlin' Bears closed with timely blocking and transition points. In total, the match saw 34 ties and 13 lead changes.
Sophomore outside hitter Reese Duchsherer powered the Mystics with a match-high 16 kills on .323 hitting to go with 10 digs, earning her seventh double-double of the year. Dedra Wood added nine kills and three blocks, while Chelsa Krom supplied six kills, two aces and two blocks. Libero Piper Harris anchored the back row with 26 digs, finishing the season as BSC's digs leader with 482, 228 more than the second-highest total.
BSC out-killed Rocky 44–43 and posted 71 digs to the Battlin' Bears' 65, but Rocky won key moments at the net, finishing with 12 total blocks to the Mystics' nine while committing six fewer hitting errors.
Rocky was led by Amelia Kisiel's 15 kills and .379 hitting percentage.
Despite the sweep, BSC hit .209, .123 and .140 across the three sets and held a 24–23 lead in the opener, a 23–23 tie in set two, and a 22–20 edge in the third before Rocky closed each set on decisive runs.
Season Close
The matchup marks the end of BSC's first season competing at the four-year level in the Frontier Conference. The Mystics finished with three conference wins, including the program's historic first Frontier victory on Oct. 4 inside the Armory.
Head coach Kyle Kuether noted the team's progress throughout the year, especially as a roster built almost entirely of first-year athletes.
"This group laid the foundation," Kuether said after the match. "They battled every night, competed through adversity, and showed what we can become. The future is bright."
The Mystics now turn their attention to the offseason as the program prepares for year two in the NAIA.
Make sure to follow BSC Volleyball on social media to stay up-to-date with the program during the offseason, and to get ready for next season's games inside the newly-constructed Bavendick Center.
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