DICKINSON, N.D. – Dickinson State took down a national powerhouse Saturday afternoon in Scott Gymnasium, rallying to defeat No. 3 Bellevue in five sets, 3-0 (25-22, 19-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-10). The Blue Hawks improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in Frontier Conference play, handing the Bruins—last year's NAIA national runner-up—just their second loss of the season.
Dickinson State took the opening set behind strong early execution. Taylor Fischer sparked a run with a service ace, and kills from Makyah Albrecht and Carmen Pallone gave the Blue Hawks early momentum. DSU committed just four attack errors in the set and hit .273 to earn a 25-22 win.
Bellevue responded with control in sets two and three, led by right-side hitter Kealy Kiviniemi, who finished with a match-high 25 kills on .452 hitting. The Bruins hit over .370 in both sets while the Blue Hawks struggled offensively, hitting under .090 in each frame. Despite the deficit, Dickinson State's defensive effort—anchored by junior Geraldyne Fernandez and junior Ashtynn Egan—helped limit extended runs.
The turning point came in the fourth set, where Dickinson State leaned on depth and defense to stay alive. Sophomore middle blocker Macie Wheeler and sophomore pin hitter Cameron Gouw provided a critical spark off the bench. Wheeler contributed three solo blocks, while Gouw added four digs and solidified the Blue Hawks' rotation with steady passing and energy. DSU capitalized on Bellevue errors and received key kills from freshman Cate Floy and junior Aubrey Allison. With the score tight late, Fischer delivered back-to-back aces to help extend the lead, and Allison sealed the set at 25-23 with a kill off a feed from Rylee Kogolshak.
The fifth set opened with Bellevue scoring the first two points, but the Blue Hawks quickly responded. DSU tied it at 3-3 on a kill from Allison and took its first lead at 6-5 after a kill from Pallone and a block by Wheeler. From there, Dickinson State never trailed. Bellevue was held to a -.042 attack percentage in the final set, while DSU hit .235 and committed no errors. Albrecht's 10th kill of the match helped push the Blue Hawks to match point, and a Bellevue attack error ended the upset.
Allison paced DSU with 11 kills and six digs. Albrecht and Pallone each tallied 10 kills, with Pallone adding a match-high five blocks and 16 total points. Kogolshak directed the offense with 33 assists, 11 digs, and a kill. Fischer added five service aces and seven digs, while Fernandez led the defense with 10 digs. Wheeler and Gouw's production off the bench was pivotal in the late stages.
Head coach Stormy Siemion praised the team's chemistry and the energy in Scott Gymnasium, saying, "What an incredible atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who has supported us already this year. This is such a special group of girls who show up for each other every day. We're ready to keep rolling."
Dickinson State totaled 45 kills, 53 digs, nine service aces, and 10 blocks while holding Bellevue to a .242 hitting percentage. The Blue Hawks outscored the Bruins 40-33 over the final two sets to secure the win.
Dickinson State will travel to Dillon, Montana, next Friday, Sept. 12, to face RV Montana Western in another key Frontier Conference matchup.
