VALLEY CITY – Valley City State University volleyball fell 3-1 against #7 Bellevue University Bruins on Friday, Nov. 7. Set scores were 25-22, 15-25, 25-10, and 25-15 in favor of the Bruins.

The Vikings move to 12-14 overall and 10-11 in Frontier games. #7 Bellevue is now 23-3 overall and 19-2 in Frontier games.

In the first set, the Vikings got out to a 10-4 lead, earning points from all over the court. They scored with a blocks by Danielle Hagler, Emma Lucas, and Morgan Freije. Gracie Schumacher served an ace to make it 5-2. Schumacher also earned a kill on a second touch attack. Joining her attacks were Macy Fridgen and Ellie Lucas. Bellevue went on the take nine of the next 11 points, reclaiming the lead at 13-12. Later in the set, the Viking came within two at 20-18 after a kill by Ellie Lucas. Bellevue would prevail, holding their lead, closing the first set 25-22.

The Vikings started the second set on fire, taking the first six points on Delani Clarke's serve. Fridgen and Emma Lucas led the offense early on. The Viking offense stayed hot throughout the second set, getting kills from Hagler and Freije later in the set. Madden Bogenreif, Gracie Schumacher, and Molly Bjorneby all tallied aces in the set. The Vikings closed set two 25-15.

The Bruins found a rhythm in the third set, going on a 14-point run. They built a 19-3 lead that proved too much for the Vikings to come back from. The third set would end 25-10.

In the fourth set, the Vikings led 4-3 before another long Bruins run. Bellevue took nine straight, capturing a 12-4 lead. The Vikings tried to battle back but came up short in their comeback efforts, falling 25-15 in the fourth set.

The Vikings were led by Macy Fridgen with 13 kills in the contest. Gracie Schumacher tallied three aces and eight assists. Madden Bogenreif had 21 assists along with an ace. Emma Lucas has a team leading four total blocks. JayCee Richter recorded 15 digs on the evening.

With one game remaining in their conference schedule, the Vikings are slated to finish in the top eight, earning a spot in the Frontier Conference Postseason Tournament. With a win over (RV) Dakota State University on Saturday, Nov. 8, the Vikings could land the No. 7 spot in the tournament.

UP NEXT: The Vikings host (RV) Dakota State University on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the last conference game of the season.