VCSU Volleyball Sweeps Peru State, Thurs.

Thursday

College Volleyball

Bellevue Invitational

BELLEVUE, NEB.  (VCSU)   – The Valley City State volleyball team picked up its first win of the season Thursday with a 3-0 sweep over Peru State, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22.

Senior outside hitter Katie Juarez led the Vikings Thursday with 11 kills, 10 digs and three service aces in the Viking victory. Valley City State improves to 1-4 overall this season while Peru State drops to 2-4 overall.

Bailey Nelson finished with seven kills and a pair of blocks Thursday. Freshman Ella Roaldson added five kills, while Makayla Wetzel added four kills and two blocks for the Vikings.

Sadie Hansen recorded with 18 set assists and 10 digs, and Ellie Rush added nine set assists Thursday. Kallene Klever totaled a team-high 17 digs for VCSU.

With the Vikings trailing 7-2 early on in the first set, the Vikings came from behind to tie at 11-all on a block from Makayla Wetzel and Ella Roaldson. From there, Valley City State took 10-5 run capped by a service ace from Jakenda Short to lead 21-16. The Bobcats would get within three points at 23-20 but kills from freshmen Brooke Blessum and Roaldson put away set one for the Vikings, 25-20.

The Bobcats opened with the lead again in the second set. A kill from Kallene Klever tied things up at 14-14 and sent the Vikings on a 6-2 run to take over the lead, 19-16. At 23-19, a Blessum kill gave the Vikings set point but a pair of Viking errors allowed the Bobcats to close the gap to 24-21. Katie Juarez finished the set for the 25-21 Viking win.

Valley City State trailed early in the third set as well, until back-to-back aces from Anne-Elise Gest gave the Vikings a 12-11 advantage. From there, neither team led by more than two points until a Bobcat error gave the Vikings a 22-19 lead. Three straight kills from Peru State tied it up at 22-all but the Vikings took the next three points, including a Juarez kill, to finish with the 25-22 victory.

UP NEXT: The Vikings take on No. 25 Rocky Mountain College Friday at 9 a.m. followed by a game against MidAmerica Nazarene at 11 a.m.