BISMARCK, N.D. – Molly Bjorneby recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs Friday night as the Valley City State volleyball team fell in four sets at Bismarck State.
The Vikings opened with a 25-23 victory before the Mystics claimed the next three sets, 25-17, 25-21 and 25-19, at the Bavendick Center. VCSU moves to 8-19 overall and 6-14 in Frontier Conference play.
Bjorneby led a balanced Viking attack that featured five players with eight or more kills. Mady Geist added nine, while Eden Carrier, Kadie Kocka and Madden Bogenreif each finished with eight. Carrier hit a team-best .250 and added two blocks.
Bogenreif also posted a double-double, distributing 20 assists and collecting 10 digs. Gracie Schumacher followed with 19 assists and 10 digs. Reece Cave paced the back row with 16 digs, while Kocka added 13 and Annika Pulju finished with 12.
VCSU found its rhythm midway through the opening set, using five straight points to turn an 11-9 deficit into a 14-11 lead. The Vikings later stretched their advantage to 20-14 behind a pair of kills from Bjorneby during the run. Bismarck State fought back within 24-23, but a combined block by Ellie Lucas and Carrier secured the opening-set win.
The Vikings carried that momentum into the second set, building a 9-6 lead before the Mystics answered with five consecutive points. VCSU remained within 16-15, but Bismarck State pulled away and scored the final five points to even the match.
In the third, VCSU held an early 11-8 advantage and regained the lead at 14-13 on a Bjorneby kill. The Mystics responded with five straight points to take control. Facing set point at 24-18, the Vikings extended the set with three consecutive points, including a Kocka service ace, before Bismarck State closed out the 25-21 victory.
Bismarck State opened an 11-5 lead in the fourth set. The Vikings battled back within three at 17-14 following consecutive kills by Lucas and Kocka around a Mystic attack error. VCSU stayed within reach at 19-16, but Bismarck State held its lead to finish the match.
The Vikings totaled 49 kills, 73 digs and five blocks while hitting .108. Bismarck State finished with 53 kills on a .192 attack percentage and recorded 10 blocks. Reese Duchsherer led the Mystics with 23 kills and 15 digs.
