The Valley City State volleyball team dropped two tough matches to open the season Saturday. The Vikings fell in three close sets against Dakota Wesleyan and battled back to take Hastings College to five sets, but ultimately fell 3-2.

Valley City State is now 0-2 this season. The Vikings continue play tomorrow as they travel to face Mayville State at 12 p.m.

Dakota Wesleyan 3, Valley City State 0
The Vikings dropped the first match of the day, falling in three close sets to Dakota Wesleyan, 25-20, 27-25, and 25-19.

The Tigers led by as much as eight points in the first set at 23-15 when the Vikings heated up to score the next four points, including a kill from Nissa Johnson and service ace from Clarissa Hilary. A kill from Caitlyn Fischbach would bring it as close as 24-20, but the Vikings couldn't hold on as they fell in set one, 25-20.

Valley City State added some momentum to keep it close throughout the second set. Trailing the Tigers 22-21, kills from Bailey Nelson and Fischbach gave the Vikings the advantage. The Tigers would tie things up at 24-24, but the Vikings quickly took back control with a kill from Clarissa Hilary. The Tigers finished the set with back-to-back kills and an ace serve for the win, 27-25.

The Vikings kept it close early in the third set, holding onto a 12-12 tie. The Tigers went on a 10-5 run to command a seven-point lead. Kills from Nissa Johnson, Katie Juarez, and Bailey Nelson would bring the Vikings within four, but couldn't get closer as they ultimately fell 25-19 in the third set.

The Viking offense was led by Caitlyn Fischbach who tallied 10 kills. Kallene Klever recorded a team-high 19 digs, while Katie Juarez added 11 digs and nine kills for the Vikings.
Freshman setter Clarissa Hilary tallied 29 assists, 11 digs, and two service aces.

Dakota Wesleyan was led by Mackenzie Miller who recorded 12 kills, while Ady Dwight tallied nine. Hanna Reiff tallied 21 digs, and Madeline Else added 14 digs and 38 assists for the Tigers.

Hastings College 3, Valley City State 2
Valley City State fell to Hastings College in their second matchup, 17-25, 25-16, 25-19, 22-25, and 15-12.

The Vikings started off strong, taking the lead for good at 5-4. A kill and pair of aces from Katie Juarez, partnered with a Maara Nelson kill stretched the Viking lead to 10-5. Hastings would commit eight errors throughout the first set. The Vikings finished it off with kills from Fischbach and Bailey Nelson, earning the 25-17 win.

Hastings then came out ready to make their comeback as they never trailed throughout the second set. A Maara Nelson kill tied the game at 7-7 and Valley City State would get within a point again at 13-12 with a Morganne Eppard ace. From there, the Broncos went on a 12-4 run to finish out the second set 25-16.

Hastings commanded an 11-4 lead early on in set four. A kill from Juarez sparked a run that would get the Vikings within three points at 20-17 but the Vikings couldn't hold on as they dropped the third set 25-19.

Valley City State wasn't finished though, as they battled back in set four. A Viking rally capped by an ace from Kylie Erickson gave them a 10-5 lead. The two teams then tied it up four times until a pair of kills from Caitlyn Fischbach and Bailey Nelson would give the Vikings a two-point advantage. A pair of kills brought the Broncos within one at 22-23, but Bailey Nelson and Nissa Johnson kills finished the set, 25-22.

Set five featured eight ties as the teams fought for the win. At 10-10, the Broncos scored three straight points to take the lead. A Johnson kill and Bronco hitting error brought the Vikings within two, but they couldn't hold on as they dropped the final set 15-12.

Katie Juarez led the Viking offense with 12 kills and four service aces. Maara Nelson finished with 10 kills, while Bailey Nelson, Nissa Johnson, and Caitlyn Fischbach each tallied nine.

Senior Kylie Erickson recorded a team-high 21 digs while Kallene Klever added 13. Clarissa Hilary tallied 49 assists for Valley City State.

Hastings College had Sydney Mullin, Emily Krolikowski, and Lucy Skoch each tally 14 kills. Makenna Asher recorded 33 assists and 14 digs for the Broncos while Ireland Currey also added 14 digs.