DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State pushed No. 7 Bellevue through a pair of tight sets Friday night, but the Frontier Conference-leading Bruins held off the Blue Hawks late in each frame to complete a 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-22) victory at Scott Gymnasium.
Dickinson State moved to 6-13 overall and 5-7 in Frontier play, while Bellevue improved to 16-2 and remained unbeaten in the conference at 12-0.
Bellevue controlled the opening set early, turning a 4-2 advantage into a 10-3 lead before extending the margin to 14-5. Dickinson State was unable to overcome the early deficit as the Bruins took the set 25-14.
The Blue Hawks responded in the second and stayed within striking distance throughout the frame. Dickinson State took its first lead at 10-9 and later erased a 17-13 deficit with a 5-1 stretch to pull even at 18.
Neither side could create separation from there. Dickinson State answered to tie the set at 19, 22 and 23 before Bellevue's Chloe Cloud delivered a kill to give the Bruins set point. A Dickinson State setting error followed as Bellevue escaped with a 25-23 win and a 2-0 match lead.
Dickinson State again challenged the Bruins in the third. Rylee Kogolshak's kill gave the Blue Hawks a 7-4 advantage, and Dickinson State continued to hold several leads during the early stages of the set.
Bellevue eventually worked its way in front and held off the Blue Hawks down the stretch for a 25-22 victory to complete the sweep.
Dickinson State's attack improved as the match progressed. After hitting minus-.044 in the opening set, the Blue Hawks hit .109 in the second and .136 in the third.
Carmen Pallone led an efficient effort at the net with 8 kills and only 1 error on 20 attempts, hitting .350 while adding 3 block assists. Aubrey Allison finished with 7 kills and 11 digs, while Macie Wheeler recorded 6 kills, 2 solo blocks and a block assist.
Kogolshak totaled 23 assists, 10 digs and 2 block assists. Ashtynn Egan led Dickinson State with 17 digs, while Geraldyne Fernandez added 9.
The Blue Hawks finished with 31 kills, 65 digs and 6 total blocks while hitting .067. Bellevue recorded 44 kills and hit .182.
