Dickinson, N.D. – Dickinson State opened Frontier Conference play with a straight-set win over Bismarck State College on Wednesday evening at Scott Gymnasium. The Blue Hawks improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference with the 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-21) victory.

Sophomore Carmen Pallone led the way with 13 kills on .571 hitting and five total blocks. Cate Floy added 10 kills and one block, while setter Rylee Kogolshak dished out 38 assists to lead a Blue Hawk offense that hit .254 as a team.

"It was a great start to conference play," said head coach Stormy Siemion. "We had some slow moments but the girls showed a lot of resilience and were able to pull it out. I'm excited to get back this weekend and play some awesome teams."

Dickinson State took control early in the opening set and never looked back. The first point of the match came on a kill by Floy from Kogolshak, and the Blue Hawks gradually pulled away behind a balanced attack and solid defense, closing out the set 25-18.

Set two was the most competitive of the night. The Blue Hawks fell behind 7-1 but responded with a 10-3 run to get back in the set. Pallone and Samantha Oase each contributed timely kills during the stretch, and a late block by Pallone helped DSU secure the 25-23 win.

In the third, the teams traded points throughout before Dickinson State put together a late push. Up 24-21, Kogolshak found Pallone for the final point of the match, sealing the sweep.

Geraldyne Fernandez led the defense with 13 digs, while Taylor Fischer added 12. Aubrey Allison contributed seven kills and 11 digs, and Oase finished with six kills and four blocks.

The Blue Hawks held a 42-35 edge in kills and out-blocked the Mystics 11-5. DSU also finished with six service aces and 58 digs.