VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State University volleyball team returns to Graichen Gymnasium on Friday, Sept. 18, for a Frontier Conference matchup against Rocky Mountain College.
First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Graichen Gymnasium as the Vikings host the Battlin' Bears during VCSU's Homecoming Weekend.
VCSU enters the contest with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-4 mark in Frontier Conference play. The Vikings earned a four-set victory over Mayville State to begin conference play before facing Montana Western, Montana Tech, MSU-Northern and No. 7 Providence.
The Vikings are coming off a competitive performance against Providence in which they pushed the nationally ranked Argos to 25-22 finishes in each of the final two sets.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Freshmen Madysen Geist and Kadie Kocka have provided an immediate spark for the VCSU attack. Geist led the Vikings with nine kills and a .615 hitting percentage against Providence after also recording seven kills and two solo blocks at MSU-Northern. Kocka added seven kills and a team-high 10 digs against Providence and was previously named the Frontier Conference Attacker of the Week.
Sophomore setter Madden Bogenreif directs the Viking offense alongside senior Gracie Schumacher. Bogenreif recorded 15 assists against Providence after totaling 17 assists and seven digs at MSU-Northern. Defensively, sophomore Annika Pulju has been a consistent presence in the back row, including 15 digs against MSU-Northern.
Rocky Mountain features several offensive options, led by Olivia Fauth, Ella Kincaid and Sadie Meier. Fauth and Kincaid were among the Battlin' Bears' early-season leaders in kills, while Meier led Rocky with nine kills in its recent match against Dakota State. Kaitlyn Wood has also been an efficient option at the net, and Zoey Albert anchors the Battlin' Bears' back-row defense.
SCOUTING ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain will travel to Valley City after facing Mayville State on Thursday night. The Battlin' Bears have navigated a challenging early schedule that includes nationally ranked opponents Dakota Wesleyan, Providence and Bellevue.
Friday marks the first of two meetings between VCSU and Rocky Mountain this season. The teams will meet again Oct. 24 in Billings, Montana.
The Vikings swept both matchups last season, earning a four-set road victory before defeating the Battlin' Bears in straight sets at Graichen Gymnasium. VCSU holds a two-match winning streak in the series.
Fans unable to attend Friday's match can follow the action through the live video and statistics links on the VCSU volleyball schedule.
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Rocky Mountain College
Date: Friday, Sept. 18
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Graichen Gymnasium
