BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck State volleyball earned its first-ever win over Valley City State, beating the Vikings 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-19) on Friday night at the Bavendick Center behind a 23-kill performance from Reese Duchsherer, her most in a single match in her three years as a Mystic.
The win improves BSC to 11-13 overall and 9-10 in Frontier Conference play. Valley City State falls to 8-19 overall and 6-14 in the Frontier. The Vikings had won all three previous meetings, including a 3-2 win on Oct. 1, and the Mystics are now 1-3 all-time against them.
"We lost to Valley the first time around, so our whole mentality was we want redemption. We know we can do it, so I think we really just gave it everything we had," said Duchsherer.
The win moves Bismarck State closer to its first-ever Frontier Conference Tournament berth. A win over Mayville State on Saturday would clinch a spot in the eight-team field. A loss would leave the Mystics needing MSU-Northern to lose their match on Saturday against Dakota State (S.D.).
"Obviously, it feels good to win one match, but that's never enough. You have to keep trying every single day, so I think for us, we just need to keep pushing and keep going and keep giving it our all," Duchsherer said.
Set One: Vikings Take Tight Opener
The set was tied six times with four lead changes. Valley City State led 14-11 and 19-13, but the Mystics scored four straight points to pull within 20-18. The Vikings pushed the lead back to 24-20, and BSC answered with three straight to get within 24-23 before Valley City State closed out a 25-23 win on a Mystic attack error blocked by Ellie Lucas and Eden Carrier. BSC hit .139 in the set to Valley City State's .171.
Set Two: Mystics Even It Up
Valley City State led 8-5, but Bismarck State answered with five straight points to take an 11-9 lead and held it the rest of the way. The Vikings got within 15-14 with three straight points, but the Mystics led 20-16 and closed the set with five straight points, four of them on Piper Harris' serve, for a 25-17 win. BSC hit .256 in the set to Valley City State's .100.
Set Three: Mystics Take Control
The set was tied six times with five lead changes. Valley City State led 6-3 and 12-10, but the Mystics scored three straight points to take a 13-12 lead. After the Vikings went back up 14-13, Bismarck State scored five straight points, four of them on Aubrey Flynn's serve, to lead 18-14 and later went up 24-18. Valley City State scored three straight, including a Kadie Kocka ace, to get within 24-21, but McKenna Brendel's kill closed out a 25-21 win. BSC hit .256 in the set to the Vikings' .132.
Set Four: Duchsherer and Harris Power BSC to Victory
After a 4-4 tie, Bismarck State scored seven of the next eight points, including four straight with Harris serving, to lead 11-5 and went up 17-11. The Vikings got within 17-14 on three straight points, but the Mystics pulled away for a 25-19 win, ending it with a Duchsherer kill. Valley City State had 11 attack errors in the set, and BSC hit .119 to the Vikings' .042.
Mystics Key Performers
Game Notes
- Bismarck State hit .192 as a team (53 kills, 23 errors, 156 attempts). Valley City State hit .108 (49 kills, 31 errors, 167 attempts)
- The Mystics out-blocked the Vikings 10.0 to 5.0
- The match featured 19 ties and 12 lead changes
- Valley City State was led by Molly Bjornbey (12 kills, 13.0 points) and Mady Geist (9 kills)
- The Mystics improve to 7-4 at home this season
Looking Ahead
Bismarck State wraps up its home slate Saturday, then closes the regular season on the road:
- Saturday, Oct. 31 -- vs. Mayville State - 2 p.m. // Bavendick Center (Graduate/Senior Day). Mayville State is 2-22 overall and 2-17 Frontier after losing to Dickinson State on Friday, and defeated BSC 3-1 in the previous meeting. BSC is 1-2 all-time against the Comets.
- Thursday, Nov. 5 -- at Carroll (Mont.) - 7 p.m. CT // 6 p.m. MT // Helena, Mont. Lost to BSC 3-0 in previous meeting
- Friday, Nov. 6 -- at Rocky Mountain (Mont.) - 7 p.m. CT // 6 p.m. MT // Billings, Mont. Lost to BSC 3-1 in previous meeting
BSC is currently in sole possession of seventh place, looking to win tomorrow and punch their ticket to the eight-team Frontier Conference Tournament in Helena, Mont.
JV Notes
The Mystics' JV squad continues its schedule with two more matches:
- Saturday, Oct. 31 -- vs. Mayville State (N.D.) - 12 p.m. // Bavendick Center
- Friday, Nov. 6 -- at Rocky Mountain (Mont.) - 5 p.m. CT // 4 p.m. MT // Billings, Mont.
See the volleyball schedule for more information on how to watch, follow and attend the upcoming matches.
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
