VALLEY CITY, N.D. – Valley City State volleyball hits the road for two Frontier Conference matches this weekend. The Vikings face Dakota State at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in Madison, South Dakota, before meeting No. 16 Bellevue at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, in Bellevue, Nebraska. Both start times are Central Time.
VCSU enters the trip 4-10 overall and 2-5 in conference play. The Vikings are coming off a three-set loss to Carroll College, but pushed the Saints to extra points in each of the final two sets, falling 26-24 in both. Molly Bjorneby led VCSU with 10 kills on a .381 hitting percentage, while Madysen Geist added nine kills.
Friday at Dakota State: The Trojans enter at 7-6 overall and 4-3 in the Frontier after falling to Bellevue on Tuesday. Emily Nelson and Macey Wathen each recorded eight kills in that match, while Gabi Borresen finished with 18 assists. The meeting gives both teams a chance to respond after midweek losses.
Saturday at Bellevue: The Bruins are 11-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play after sweeping Dakota State. Bellevue hit .327 in that match, led by Bentlee Kollbaum's 12 kills without an attacking error. The Bruins also held an 8-2 advantage in blocks, making offensive efficiency and play at the net key areas to watch for VCSU.
For the Vikings, Geist and Eden Carrier showed how much they can change a match in last week's five-set win over Rocky Mountain. Geist posted 20 kills on .515 hitting with four blocks, while Carrier added 12 kills on .455 hitting, including the match-winner. Annika Pulju collected 23 digs in that victory and shared the team lead with 11 against Carroll. VCSU will look to its setters, Madden Bogenreif and Gracie Schumacher, to keep that offensive balance going on the road.
Following the trip, VCSU returns home to host Bismarck State College on Thursday, Oct. 1, and Dickinson State University on Friday, Oct. 2. Both matches are scheduled for 6 p.m.
