Vikings Look to Turn Home Court into Momentum Against Bismarck State and Dickinson State
VALLEY CITY, N.D. – A new month brings a fresh opportunity for Valley City State volleyball as the Vikings return home for two Frontier Conference matchups against North Dakota opponents.
VCSU hosts Bismarck State on Thursday, Oct. 1, before welcoming Dickinson State on Friday, Oct. 2. witrh both matches beginning at 6 p.m.
Friday's game will also celebrate a special chapter in Viking volleyball history as VCSU recognizes its 1996 Hall of Fame and conference championship volleyball team during its 30-year reunion. Coached by Diane Burr, the team finished 33–8 overall and 11–1 in the NDCAC. Jackie (Bisson) Lusk and Kelli (Geurtz) Heiser '97 earned Great Plains Player of the Year honors, while Lusk, Heiser, Charity (Hanson) Nix '00 and Kathy Remillard '00 received All-NDCAC recognition. Lusk was also named an honorable mention All-American.
The Vikings enter the stretch at 4–12 overall and 2–7 in conference play after dropping road matches to Dakota State and nationally ranked Bellevue last weekend. Back in front of their home crowd, VCSU has an opportunity to regroup and build momentum as the conference schedule continues.
Thursday's opponent arrives with plenty of momentum of its own. Bismarck State is 7–7 overall and 5–4 in Frontier play, riding a five-match winning streak that began with a victory at Montana Western. The Mystics followed with consecutive sweeps of Providence, MSU-Northern and Carroll before defeating Rocky Mountain in four sets last Saturday. Their recent run makes Thursday an opportunity for the Vikings to interrupt one of the conference's hottest stretches.
VCSU will face another team finding its footing when Dickinson State comes to town Friday. The Blue Hawks enter the week at 5–11 overall and 4–5 in conference matches, having won three of their last four contests. That stretch includes victories over MSU-Northern and Providence, followed by a sweep of Rocky Mountain in their most recent outing. Dickinson State plays at Mayville State on Thursday before traveling to Valley City.
The Vikings have recent history on their side against the Blue Hawks. VCSU has won seven consecutive meetings with Dickinson State, including a pair of four-set victories last season. Friday offers a chance to extend that streak while adding a conference win.
For VCSU, the challenge will be turning steady first contacts into scoring opportunities and limiting the extended runs that can shift a set. With both opponents coming off strong performances, consistent execution will be central to the Vikings' bid to turn the page.
Live video and live statistics for both matches will be available through the volleyball schedule at vcsuvikings.com. Following the home stand, the Vikings travel to Montana Tech on Oct. 9 and Montana Western on Oct. 10.
