Watertown, S.D. – The Valley City State volleyball team posted a season-best 117 digs in a strong defensive effort but ultimately fell to nationally-ranked Bellevue University Friday in the NSAA Semifinals by final set scores of 23-25, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-20.

JayCee Richter paced five Vikings in double figure digs as she tied a season-best 31 digs and Ellie Rush added a career-high 22 digs. VCSU drops to 22-9 on the season while Bellevue improves to 24-8 and advances to the NSAA Championship game Saturday at 2 p.m.

Valley City State received 66 votes and was just outside the Top 25 in the latest NAIA Coaches’ Poll. The Vikings look to receive an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round in the NAIA Volleyball Selection Show scheduled for Monday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. The Selection Show will air on the NAIA YouTube channel.

Despite taking the first set Friday, No. 18 Bellevue was too much for the Vikings as they tallied 10 service aces as a team and four Bruins finished with double figure kills Friday. Bellevue totaled 59 kills on 54 assists to VCSU’s 47 kills on 39 assists in the match. 

Bailey Nelson goes up for an attack.

VCSU held an 11-9 edge on the block and the teams were deadlocked with 117 digs apiece – a season-high for both teams.

Sadie Hansen recorded her 1000th career dig Friday and finished with a double-double of 35 set assists and 17 digs in the match. In the strong defensive effort, Reagan Bogenreif contributed 20 digs for VCSU and Delani Clarke recorded 15.

Danielle Hagler and Bailey Nelson each pounded 12 kills, while Freije and Mardi Scutchings totaled eight kills apiece. Hagler and Freije each tallied five blocks for the Vikings.

Bellevue’s Eve Fountain led the offense Friday with 15 kills while Kealy Kiviniemi tallied 12 and Allie Kerns and Sidney Sledge added 10 apeice. Mila Aiwohi finished with 25 set assists and four service aces and Jada Nunn added 23 assists. Taylan Keefer led all players with 45 digs for Bellevue.