The VCSU volleyball team extended its winning streak to five matches this weekend as the Vikings went 3-0 at the College of Saint Benedict Tournament.

VCSU opened the weekend with four-set victory over College of Saint Benedict on Friday. On Saturday morning, VCSU defeated Concordia-Moorhead in four sets and then wrapped up the tournament with a sweep of Simpson College.

Valley City State is now 6-6 overall this season and has won its last five matches.

Up next: VCSU opens NSAA conference play by hosting Dickinson State University on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The 7 p.m. match is also the home opener for the Vikings and the first of four straight home matches.

VCSU 3, College of Saint Benedict 1
The Vikings opened the tournament with a thrilling four-set victory against the host school. VCSU held a 2-1 lead before clinching the match with an epic 35-33 victory in set four. The Vikings trailed 33-32 in the fourth set, but scored the final three points on two kills by Clarissa Olson and one by Autumn Johnson.

Clarissa Olson had a career-high 20 kills in the match, leading three Vikings with double-digit kills. The senior middle hit .600 in the match and added four block assists. Sophomore Paige Benson had a big match with 15 kills, and senior Autumn Johnson posted 12 kills and four block assists.

Senior setter Leah Ruter finished with a double-double of 44 assists and 15 digs. Libero Charlotte Huschka had a career-high 35 digs and a team-high three service aces in the victory. Hailie Wilds finished with 12 digs, and Reagan Ingstad had 11 assists and seven digs.

VCSU 3, Concordia-Moorhead 1
For the second time in four days, the Vikings defeated Concordia-Moorhead. VCSU won Saturday morning's match by scores of 25-14, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19.

Valley City State hit a sparkling .279 as a team and held an 8-5 advantage in blocking.

Benson led the Vikings with a career-high 18 kills and a .444 hitting percentage in 36 attacks. Freshman Katie Juarez posted 11 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Olson finished with seven kills and four block points.

Senior setter Leah Ruter had another big match with nine kills, 27 assists, three aces and nine digs. Hailie Wilds had a team-high 18 digs to lead the defense, and Charlotte Huschka finished with 17 digs. Morganne Eppard served three aces and had nine digs, while Ingstad finished with 19 assists and seven digs.

VCSU 3, Simpson College 0
The Vikings made quick work of their opponent in the final match, extending their winning streak to five matches with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-22 win over Simpson College.

VCSU hit .265, served 10 aces and held a 5-1 advantage in blocking.

The Vikings used a balanced attack in the victory with five different players recording six or more kills. Juarez and Olson each posted nine kills, Autumn Johnson scored eight kills, and McKinley Putnam and Madison Brown each finished with six kills.

Charlotte Huschka had team-highs of 22 digs and three aces. Ingstad finished with 13 assists, three aces and six digs. Leah Ruter had a team-high 22 assists and nine digs.