BISMARCK, N.D. – Labor Day is known as the "unofficial end of summer," and for Mystic athletics, that rings true as the fall seasons arrive in full force this week with volleyball, cross country, rodeo and softball all in action.
Here's what's on deck for the week:
Wednesday, Sept. 3
VOLLEYBALL @ DICKINSON STATE (N.D.)
7 p.m. CDT
Scott Gymnasium (1104 2nd St W, Dickinson, ND 58601)
The Mystics volleyball team travels to Dickinson to take on their in-state rivals, the Dickinson State (N.D.) Blue Hawks.
The Blue Hawks enter the contest with a 4-1 record in nonconference play. Both teams competed in the Siouxland Invitational earlier this season and played two common opponents with nearly identical results.
Both teams faced Briar Cliff University (Iowa) and lost in four sets after winning the first set. Both also played Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) and won. The only difference: The Mystics won in four sets, while the Blue Hawks earned a sweep.
Dickinson State is led by second-year head coach Stormy Siemion.
GAME COVERAGE:
Live Stream
Live Stats
Friday, Sept. 5
MEN'S & WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY @ MARAUDER INVITATIONAL
4 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. CDT
McDowell Dam Recreation Area (1951 93rd St NE, Bismarck, ND 58501)
The Mystics get a double dose of local competition as the men's and women's cross country teams make the short trip to McDowell Dam for the Marauder Invitational, hosted by the University of Mary.
The women's six-kilometer race is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the men's 8K to follow at 4:45 p.m.
Both Mystics teams were ranked sixth out of 11 in the Frontier Conference preseason poll. They are led by second-year head coach
Julia Hammerschmidt and look to build on last year's NJCAA success at the NAIA level. The men's and women's teams placed seventh and 12th, respectively, at the 2024 NJCAA Cross Country Championship.
VOLLEYBALL VS. #2 BELLEVUE (NEB.)
6 p.m. CDT
BSC Armory (1601 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501)
The volleyball team will also be in Bismarck on Friday evening as they host the No. 2 Bellevue (Neb.) Bruins in the Mystics' inaugural NAIA home competition.
The Bruins and Mystics have no common opponents this season. Bellevue's most recent games came Aug. 29, when they swept Dakota Wesleyan and No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan in a rematch of the 2024 national championship.
Bellevue is 4-1, with its only loss coming in the opener against No. 18 College of Idaho. The Bruins are led by Trish Siedlik, now in her 20th season.
GAME COVERAGE:
Live Stream
Live Stats
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RODEO @ UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–RIVER FALLS
7 p.m. CDT
University of Wisconsin River Falls Lab Farm 1 (1529 S Wasson Ln, River Falls, WI 54022)
Mystic men's and women's rodeo also hits the road Friday for the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.
Second-year head coach
Jon Peek leads the squad, which is building on a strong debut season. Last year, the men's team finished second in the 12-team Great Plains Division, while the women's team was seventh of 10.
The team returns two College National Finals Rodeo qualifiers,
Hadly Erickson and
Cael Hilzendeger, and welcomes back
Tyler Hansen, who ended last season ranked No. 2 all-around cowboy in the division.
The Mystics open the NIRA Great Plains season with six regional rodeos this fall, including the Mystic Stampede, Oct. 3-4 at Dale Pahlke Arena in Mandan, N.D.
RODEO COVERAGE:
Live Stream
Event Page
Saturday, Sept. 6
SOFTBALL VS. DAWSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (MT.)
1 p.m. CDT (D.H.)
Scheels Field (Cottonwood Park,
2506 S 12th St, Bismarck, ND 58504)
Mystic softball begins fall play in preparation for its first spring in the Frontier Conference with six games scheduled this fall.
Second-year head coach
Troy Bitz will look to improve on last season's 24-22-1 record with a mix of 13 newcomers and 10 returners.
The Mystics open against Dawson Community College in a doubleheader at Scheels Field.
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RODEO @ UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–RIVER FALLS
1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. CDT
University of Wisconsin River Falls Lab Farm 1 (1529 S Wasson Ln, River Falls, WI 54022)
Rodeo continues their performances in River Falls.
RODEO COVERAGE:
Live Stream
Event Page
VOLLEYBALL VS. (RV) DAKOTA STATE (S.D.)
2 p.m. CDT
BSC Armory (1601 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501)
Volleyball closes the weekend by hosting Dakota State (S.D.) at the BSC Armory.
It will be the first-ever matchup between the two schools. The Trojans enter the weekend at 4-0, with sweeps over common opponents William Penn and Bethany (Kan.). They play Dakota Wesleyan on Thursday and Dickinson State on Friday before coming to Bismarck.
Dakota State is led by 17th-year head coach Amy Veenhof.
GAME COVERAGE:
Live Stream
Live Stats
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