BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bismarck State volleyball hits the road tonight to open Frontier Conference play against rival Dickinson State (N.D.), with first serve set for 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) at Scott Gymnasium.

The Mystics enter tonight's matchup with a 2-3 overall record after falling 3-1 to Mount Marty (S.D.) last weekend. Tonight's contest marks the start of an extended stretch away from home, as the Mystics' next five Frontier Conference matches will all be played on the road.

Bismarck State will look to start conference play on a strong note before facing a quick turnaround this weekend. The Mystics travel to Bellevue (Neb.) for a 6 p.m. Friday match at BU Fieldhouse, then close the trip Saturday at 2 p.m. against Dakota State (S.D.) at the DSU Fieldhouse in Madison, S.D. The Bellevue matchup carries extra weight, with the Bruins slipping from No. 8 to No. 19 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released today.

How BSC Stacks Up

Through five matches, the Mystics are hitting .142 as a team, averaging 11.6 kills, 10.8 assists, 2.2 aces and 13.6 digs per set. BSC is looking to get back on top after being out-hit .142 to .144.

Junior Reese Duchsherer paces BSC in kills (64), while Aislyn Hogan leads the team with 168 assists to go with a team-high 11.0 total blocks. Piper Harris tops the Mystics with 68 digs, and Aubrey Flynn leads the team with 11 service aces.

Scouting Dickinson State

The Blue Hawks enter conference play with a 1-6 overall record, hitting .118 as a team this season and averaging 10.5 kills, 9.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 14.9 digs per set. Aubrey Allison leads Dickinson State with 64 kills, while setter Rylee Kogolshak has recorded a team-high 199 assists. Defensively, Paige Rose leads the Blue Hawks with 111 digs, while Carmen Pallon has recorded a team-high 21 blocks.

Scouting Bellevue

Bellevue enters the weekend at 4-2 overall and has posted a .201 team hitting percentage through six matches, averaging 12.35 kills, 11.35 assists, 1.88 blocks and 15.85 digs per set.

Offensively, A'Lailah Perry has been one of Bellevue's top threats with 44 kills. The Bruins have also relied on a 6-2 system at setter, with Ella Eymann totaling 90 assists and Mila Aiwohi adding 83. On the defensive end, Zoie Roghair has paced the back row with 101 digs, while Morgan Wale leads the team at the net with 19 blocks.

Scouting Dakota State

Dakota State comes into conference play at 3-3 overall and has recorded a .140 hitting percentage as a team. Through six matches, the Trojans are producing 11.6 kills, 10.8 assists, 1.9 blocks and 14.2 digs per set.

Tristyn Maras has been a key piece of the Trojan attack with 49 kills, while Emily Nelson has directed the offense with 119 assists. On the defensive side, Kate VanRooyan has anchored the back row with 97 digs, and Lauryn Kloth has made her presence felt at the net with 25 blocks.

JV Team Sets the Tone in Conference Opener

The Mystics JV volleyball team will set the tone for the evening, opening the action against the Dickinson State JV squad at 5 p.m. CT before the varsity teams take the court for the night's conference matchup.

See the volleyball schedule for information on how to follow the team during their road trip.