VALLEY CITY, N.D. - The Valley City State University volleyball team continues its early-season tournament schedule with three matches at the Bellevue Tournament in Bellevue, Nebraska. The Vikings open the weekend Friday against Benedictine University Mesa at 9 a.m. before facing Benedictine College (KS) at 3 p.m. VCSU concludes the tournament Saturday against Grand View University at 11 a.m.
MATCH COVERAGE
Live coverage links for the Bellevue Tournament will be available on the VCSU Volleyball Schedule.
BELLEVUE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 28
9 a.m. – vs. Benedictine University Mesa
3 p.m. – vs. Benedictine College (KS)
Saturday, Aug. 29
11 a.m. – vs. Grand View University
LAST TIME OUT
VCSU opened the season with four matches at the Siouxland Invitational, facing Dordt University, the College of Saint Mary, Mount Mercy University and No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan University.
The Vikings displayed their strongest offensive performance against Mount Mercy, recording 52 kills, 66 digs and a .171 hitting percentage in a four-set loss. VCSU won the opening set, 27-25, before each of the final three sets was decided by three points.
GEIST MAKES AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Freshman middle blocker Madysen Geist made an impressive collegiate debut at the Siouxland Invitational, leading VCSU with 47 kills and a .330 hitting percentage through four matches. Geist reached double figures in kills three times, including 16 kills while hitting .462 against Mount Mercy.
She closed the tournament with 12 kills and a .455 hitting percentage against No. 16 Dakota Wesleyan. Geist also recorded seven kills and three blocks in her collegiate debut against Dordt.
SETTING THE ATTACK
VCSU's two-setter system produced balanced numbers during the opening weekend. Sophomore Madden Bogenreif and junior Gracie Schumacher each totaled 53 assists across the Vikings' four matches.
Bogenreif recorded a double-double with 11 assists and 11 digs against Dordt, while Schumacher posted 19 assists and 11 digs against Mount Mercy. Schumacher also distributed 16 assists and collected 10 digs against Dakota Wesleyan.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Sophomore libero Annika Pulju leads the Viking defense after collecting 51 digs during the opening weekend. She reached double figures in three matches, including 20 digs against Mount Mercy and 18 against Dakota Wesleyan.
Sophomore outside hitter Molly Bjorneby added 43 digs and a team-best six service aces. She posted a double-double against Mount Mercy with 12 kills and 14 digs before adding six kills, 10 digs and two aces against Dakota Wesleyan.
THE SERIES VS. BENEDICTINE MESA
Friday morning will mark the second recorded meeting between VCSU and Benedictine University Mesa. The programs last met in 2015, with the Redhawks earning the victory. Benedictine Mesa enters the tournament after opening its season with a three-set victory over Justice College.
THE SERIES VS. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE
VCSU and Benedictine College will meet for the second time in program history. The Ravens won the first matchup in four sets during the 2018 season.
Benedictine enters the tournament with a 3-1 record after earning victories over Bethany College, Crowley's Ridge and Briar Cliff University. The Ravens defeated Briar Cliff in five sets Wednesday behind 21 kills each from Barbara Terra and Scomazzon.
THE SERIES VS. GRAND VIEW
The Vikings close the weekend Saturday against Grand View University. The matchup will be VCSU's final tournament contest before beginning Frontier Conference play.
EARLY-SEASON ROAD SWING
The Bellevue Tournament continues a stretch of seven consecutive neutral-site matches to open the season. VCSU played its first four matches at the Siouxland Invitational and will complete its tournament schedule with three matches in Bellevue before traveling to Mayville State for its Frontier Conference opener.
NEXT UP
VCSU opens Frontier Conference play Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Mayville State University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Vikings then host Montana Western on Friday, Sept. 4, for their home opener at Graichen Gymnasium.
