VALLEY CITY – The Valley City State volleyball team opened conference play with a sweep over Dickinson Wednesday night in Graichen Gym, 25-16, 25-12 and 25-23.
 
The Vikings used a balanced attack Wednesday with Morgan Freije totaling 11 kills and Macy Fridgen and Danielle Hagler each tallying nine. VCSU is now 9-4 overall and 1-0 in the conference while Dickinson drops to 4-9 on the season and 0-1 to open conference play.
 
VCSU pulled away early and didn't look back, convincingly taking the first two sets. By the third set, Dickinson found their footing and started with an early 9-6 lead. Dickinson held on for a 22-19 advantage when VCSU halted the Blue Hawk run.
 
From there, the Vikings scored five straight points, including a service ace from Reagan Bogenreif to take a 24-22 advantage. Dickinson held off the Vikings with a kill from Scarlette Schwindt, but Morgan Freije put away the match with a final kill.
 
Sadie Hansen finished the match with 33 assists and five kills Wednesday. Delani Clarke led the defense with 13 digs, while Hagler added four assisted blocks for VCSU.
 
Dickinson was led by McKenzie Moser who totaled eight kills while Scarlette Schwindt added seven. Rylee Kogolshak recorded 24 set assists and three Blue Hawks recorded six digs.
 
UP NEXT: (RV) VCSU continues conference play Thursday night against No. 3 Jamestown. First serve is at 7 p.m. at the Bubble.
Dickinson travels to Mayville State for a 6 p.m. contest.